History

The Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa was the highest war decoration awarded by the Habsburg Monarchy and was considered one of the most respected military orders of merit. It was conceptualized around 1749-1750, following the conclusion of the Peace Treaty of Aachen in 1748. The Order was officially founded during the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), on June 18, 1757.

Count Leopold Joseph Daun reorganized the army in the late 1740s, which included the creation of a ‘military order of honour.’ This Order contained three classes and a pension that the recipient would receive.

The first designs for the order included a white maltese cross with the central medallion inscribed with the monarchs’ initials on one side, and the other side to have the words “Fortitude”, “Virtuti Militari”, or “Praemium Fortitudinis”. It was officially named “Military Maria Theresa Order” in early 1757, which was intended to express the gratitude and affection the Empress had for the soldiers. The first knights were inducted into the order March 7 and April 23, 1758 by Emperor Franz I, the first Grand Master of the Order. The Order official ceased to exist in 1986, when the last recipient died.

The Medal for the 50th year anniversary of Archduke Carl's induction into the Order of Maria Theresa was designed by Joseph Daniel Bohm. It was awarded to all recipients of the order who were alive at the time, each medal was engraved with the member's name. Gold versions of the medals were awarded to Grand Cross bearers.