The Medal of Belgian Gratitude (; ) is a Belgian medal instituted to be awarded to civilians on 1 August 1945.

Insignia The medal measures 34 mm in diameter and has an octagonal shape. The obverse depicts a veiled woman (representing Belgium) facing to the right, with a rapier in her right hand, raised in salute. The medal came in 3 versions: gold, silver and bronze.

The reverse bears the inscription “PATRIA GRATA 1940 1945” with a decorative pattern on either side of the inscription. The medal is attached to the ribbon via a laurel wreath. The laurel wreath is open in the center. However, the wreath is filled with a red cross when it is awarded for meritorious service during the administration of aid to the sick or the wounded ().Belgian official journal - Belgische erkentelijkheidsmedaille, ingesteld bij Regents besluit van 1 augustus 1945

The ribbon is purple, with 3 central stripes of black, yellow and red, the colors of the Belgian national flag.

Medal of Belgian gratitude in gold, silver and bronze, with and without red enamel cross

Award conditions The medal of Belgian gratitude was awarded for devotion to philanthropy in order to relieve people from the depravations of the war ().

Notable recipients (partial list) The gold medal was awarded to the Dutch town of Vught as a token of gratitude towards its citizens for their acts of compassion towards the Belgian political prisoners held in nearby Herzogenbusch concentration camp.Decree of the Prince Regent of 08 September 1946, gazetted 28 February 1947 (page 2078)

See also

Orders, decorations, and medals of Belgium Belgian honours order of wearing

References

Decree of the Prince Regent of 1 August 1945 creating a medal of Belgian gratitude Quinot H., 1950, Recueil illustré des décorations belges et congolaises, 4e Edition. (Hasselt) Cornet R., 1982, Recueil des dispositions légales et réglementaires régissant les ordres nationaux belges. 2e Ed. N.pl., (Brussels) Borné A.C., 1985, Distinctions honorifiques de la Belgique, 1830-1985 (Brussels)

External links The Medal of Belgian Gratitude 1940-1945 The Medal of Belgian Gratitude 1940-1945