History

The Maritime Medal was created on July 17, 1941 by the Belgian government in exile in London. It was originally awarded to Belgian citizens who were members of the Belgian Navy, Merchant Navy or fishing fleets for saving fleets or lives from enemy action in the Second World War. The award qualifications were later altered to include naval personnel who served for at least two years on warships belonging to Allied Forces, and to those who had been involved in two combat-related shipwrecks. The Medal was also awarded posthumously.

The ribbon features a bronze crossed anchors clasp.