Military William Order

Militaire Willems-Orde

Order instituted on 30 April 1815 by King William I.
Order awarded for feats of excellent bravery on the battlefield and as a meritorious decoration to senior military officers. In the spring of 1940 it was decided that civilians would receive the Military Order of William for heroic acts in the resistance.
Order have four classes.
The badge of the Order is a white-enamelled Maltese Cross, in silver for the 4th Class and in gilt for higher classes; a green enamelled Burgundy Cross appears between the arms of the Maltese Cross. The obverse bears a golden firesteel at the centre, and the motto Voor Moed – Beleid – Trouw (For Bravery – Leadership – Loyalty) on the arms of the Maltese Cross. Both the Burgundy Cross and the firesteel were symbols of the House of Valois-Burgundy during their lordship of the Netherlands and probably are meant to recall its crucial unifying role in the history of the Netherlands. The reverse central disc bears a crowned monogram "W" (for King William I) surrounded by a laurel wreath. The badge hangs from a royal crown.
The star of the Grand Cross is a silver, 8-pointed star with straight rays; the obverse of the badge of the Order, minus the crown, appears at its centre.
William I - first King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg.