Medal "Armed Forces In Service Of The Homeland".

[Taz]

(Medal "Sily Zbrojne w Sluzbie Ojczyzny")

This Medal was instituted by act of Parliament of May 26th, 1951.
It was conferred to professional officers and NCO's, for long and meritorious service in the armed forces, as well as to civilians working for the armed forces.
The medal is awarded in three grades of gold, silver and bronze. over time the award critaria has changed, been renewed and changed back again. Here are the different dates and the changes.
1951 - 1960, for 15, 10 and 5 years of service.
1960 - 1968, for 25 and 15 years of service.
1968 - 1995, for 20, 10 and 5 years of service.
1995 - ......, for 25, 15 and 5 years of service.

Badge 1951-1990: gilt, silvered or bronze medal 34 mm of diameter. In the middle there is a non-crowned silver eagle on red enameled background, surroundes by a white enameled circle, circumscribed SILY ZBROJNE W SLUZBIE OJCZYZNY (armed forces in service for the country), and with a small five pointed star at the bottom. The whole is surrounded by a gilt, silver or bronze laurel wreath, superimposed on two crosses swords. At the bottom of the wreath there is a red enameled oval shield with Roman numerals.

XV, X, V (1951-1960), XXV, XV (1960-1968), or XX, X, V (1968-1995).
XXV, XV, V ( 1995 -...)

The Badge from 1990-1996 is as above, but the eagle is crowned. since 1996 as above, but without the oval bottom shield.
The reverse is plain.
The ribbon is 35 mm wide, red with double narrow white side stripes.

Eddie.

Here are the XX, X, V (1968-1995). variations of this Medal.