Orden und Ehrenzeichen#

Orders and Distinctions, decorations for exceptional military, political, artistic, scientific, and other achievements, usually created by laws or ordinances.

Austro-Hungarian Monarchy: Koeniglich-ungarischer St.-Stephan-Orden (Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephan, established 1764, 3 classes); Tapferkeitsmedaille (Medal for Bravery, 1789); Oesterreichischer Kaiserlicher Orden der Eisernen Krone (Austrian Imperial Order of the Iron Crown, 1805, 3 classes); Oesterreichischer Kaiserlicher Leopold-Orden (Austrian Imperial Order of Leopold, 1808, 3 classes); Kaiserlicher Oesterreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden (Imperial Austrian Order of Franz Joseph, 1849, 3 classes); Militaerverdienstkreuz (Military Service Cross, 1849, 3 classes); Ehrenzeichen fuer Kunst und Wissenschaft (Decoration for Art and Science, 1887); Militaerverdienstmedaille (Military Service Medal, 1890); Grosse Militaerverdienstmedaille (Distinguished Military Service Medal, 1914).

1st  Republic: Kaerntnerisches Kreuz (Carinthian Cross, 1920, 2 levels); Ehrenzeichen fuer Verdienste um die Republik Oesterreich (Decoration for Service to the Republic of Austria, 1923, 10 levels, from 1934 "Oesterreichischer Verdienst-Orden"); Ehrenzeichen und Verdienstkreuze fuer Kunst und Wissenschaft (Decorations and Service Medals for Art and Science, 1934, limited to 24 scientists and artists from Austria and 24 from other countries); Militaerverdienstkreuz (Military Service Cross, 1935, 3 classes); Militaerverdienstmedaille (Military Service Medal, 1935); Ehrenmedaille fuer 40 Jahre treue Dienste (Medal of Distinction for 40 Years of Faithful Service.

2nd Republic: Ehrenzeichen fuer Verdienste um die Republik Oesterreich (Decoration for Service to the Republic of Austria, 1952, 10 classes, 2 service decorations, 3 service medals); upon assuming office, the federal president receives the highest level of this decoration, the "Grossstern" ("Great Star"). Ehrenzeichen fuer Wissenschaft und Kunst (Decoration for Science and Art, 1955), awarded to a maximum of 72 scientists and artists (36 Austrians and 36 from other countries), conferred upon persons proposed by the Austrian holders; the decoration remains the property of the state, to which it reverts after the death of the holder. Ehrenkreuz fuer Wissenschaft und Kunst (Cross of Merit for Science and Art, 1955, 2 levels); Oesterreichische Befreiungsmedaille (Austrian Liberation Medal, 1946, superseded in 1976 by the Ehrenzeichen fuer Verdienste um die Befreiung Oesterreichs = Decoration for Service towards the Liberation of Austria); Wehrdienstzeichen (Military Service Decoration, 1963, 3 classes); Wehrdienstmedaille (Military Service Medal, 1963 bronze, 1969 silver, 1989 gold); Verwundetenmedaille (decoration for those wounded in action, 1975, 2 classes); Militaerverdienstzeichen (Military Decoration of Merit, 1989). - Other orders and distinctions: Ehrenmedaille fuer 40jaehrige treue Dienste (Medal of Distinction for 40 Years of Faithful Service); since 1955 decorations conferred by the various provinces for provincial service (Lower Austria and Tyrol 1955, Burgenland 1961, Vienna 1967, Styria 1971, Upper Austria 1973, Salzburg 1977, Vorarlberg 1978, Carinthia 1980). In addition, Tyrol bestows the "Ring des Landes mit Stern" ("Provincial Ring with Star", 1949) and the "Tiroler Adlerorden" (Tyrolean Order of the Eagle, 1970, 3 classes), and Vorarlberg the "Montfort-Orden" (Order of Montfort, 1985).

Also: Order of the Golden Fleece, Order of Maria Theresia.

Literature#