The Order of the White Lion is a military order of the Czech Republic which was first created in 1922 as a national military award of Czechoslovakia. The Order of the White Lion is bestowed for distinguished services to the Czech state on a national level.
The Order of the White Lion is issued in six grades with the third through fifth classes presented as medals and the second and first class awarded as a neck order with chest badge. The supreme grade of the Order of the White Lion is a gold neck chain which is only presented by the Czech President to fellow Heads of State.
During World War II, the Order of the White Lion reached its height as an award to those who had helped liberate Czechoslovakia from occupation by Nazi Germany. Following the surrender of Germany in May 1945, a large number of foreign bestowals were made by presenting the Order of the White Lion to senior officers of the Allied militaries. Dwight Eisenhower and George S. Patton are two Americans which received the Order of the White Lion after the close of World War II.
The Order of the White Lion is still maintained as an active medal of the Czech Republic.
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Last updated: 05-31-2005 23:33:05