History

This cross was founded by a Presidential decree, and it was primarily conferred upon Czechoslovak citizens who had enlisted prior to the proclamation of the Provisional Government in Paris on July 1, 1918, and thus contributed to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia.

It was also awarded to individuals that had rendered political support and service in the efforts to create a Sovereign State of Czechoslovakia.

There are several variants of the medal, including with or without the initials of the medal's designer Antoine Bourdelle "AB," light or dark coloured bronze, and a wide range of ribbon decorations.

The ribbon may be decorated with several types of insignia including a bronze linden twig, a bronze linden leaf, a shield with "ČD", and a shield with "LE."

The ribbon may also have shield-shaped insignia with regiment numbers including, "1-12" for Russia, "21-24" for France, and "31" "35" and "39" for Italy.

The ribbon may also feature clasps reading, "ALSACE ARGONNE", "BACHMAČ", "DOSS'ALTO", "PERONNE", "PIAVE", "S" (Serbia), "SIBIR", and "ZBOROV". Each clasp is associated with a rise in the price of the cross ranging from 20.00-90.00USD.

The reverse inscription roughly translates to "Awake on Guard a Free Nation."