The system of honours of the Republic of Croatia was established after the independence of Croatia in 1991. There are nineteen main decorations conferred since 2019, in addition to several other medals and awards.
The President of the Republic of Croatia confers decoration and awards of the Republic of Croatia on their own initiative or at the suggestion of the State Commission for Decorations and Awards. Decorations and awards can be conferred on Croatian or foreign nationals, legal entities as well as units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of the Interior.
The orders, decorations, and medals authorized under the law instituted in 1995 are listed below in their order of precedence. [1] Some orders were instituted in 1992.
Orders and decorations are for merit in establishing, maintaining and promoting an autonomous, independent and sovereign Republic of Croatia, merit in the realization of the Croatian nation-building idea and the development and construction of the Republic of Croatia, and for exceptional courage and heroism in war, in immediate war danger or in special peacetime circumstances. [2]
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Croatia also awards the Croatian State Award (Croatian : Državna nagrada) each year to Croatian citizens who have excelled in a specific field.
In addition to the orders and decorations above, Croatia has also established various medals for long service, etc., as well as a series of commemorative medals for the military campaigns in 1995. Among these are:
Medals are awarded "to members of the active and reserve components of the armed and police forces of the Republic of Croatia for participation in certain military-police operations and to individuals for exceptional undertakings." [2]
State ministries grant or sponsor various other top-level annual awards:
The Homeland War Memorial is a Croatian state medal awarded to both Croatian and foreign citizens who participated in the nation's Croatian War of Independence as a volunteer, part of the Croatian Army and Croatian Council of Defence or in some other role.
The Grand Order of Queen Jelena, or more fully the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It was established in 1995. It ranks second in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Tomislav.
The Order of Duke Trpimir, or more fully the Order of Duke Trpimir with Neck Badge and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks sixth in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir. It is awarded to Croatian and foreign ministerial level officials and others for merit in contributing to the independence, integrity and international reputation of the Republic of Croatia, the construction of Croatia, and development of relationships between Croatia and other countries.
The Order of Stjepan Radić is a Croatian national decoration which ranks thirteenth in importance. The order was formed on 1 April 1995.
The Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir, or more fully the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks fourth in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV. The order is among only four orders that hold the title of grand order and has one class, like all Croatian orders and decorations.
The Order of Ante Starčević is a Croatian national decoration which ranks twelfth in importance. The order was formed on 10 March 1995.
The Grand Order of King Tomislav, or officially the Grand Order of King Tomislav with Sash and Great Morning Star, is the highest state order of Croatia. It is usually awarded to top foreign officials for their contribution to the improvement of Croatia's good standing internationally as well as achievements in developing international relations between Croatia and their respective countries. It is awarded by the President of Croatia. The order has one class. It is named after King Tomislav of Croatia.
The Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV, or more fully the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV with sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks third in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of Queen Jelena. The next order in rank is the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir. The order had been established on June 20, 1992 and reconstituted on April 1, 1995.
During World War II the Independent State of Croatia awarded a number of orders, decorations and medals.
The Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is the 9th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on April 1, 1995. The medal is awarded for a heroic act in war or imminent danger of war, or exceptional circumstances in peace. It is named after the ban of Croatia Nikola IV Zrinski.
Homeland's Gratitude Medal is the 19th most important medal in the Croatian honours system.
The decorations for citizens who do great deeds for, or on behalf of, the country.
The Order of Duke Domagoj is the 8th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia and is the nation's highest award for bravery. The order was founded on April 1, 1995. The medal is awarded for valor in combat. It is named after duke Domagoj of Croatia.
The Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan is the 11th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on 1 April 1995. The medal is awarded with two versions of the Croatian interlace: the golden one posthumously for valor in combat, and the silver one for persons declared missing in the Croatian War of Independence. It is named after Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan.
Zvonimir Červenko was a Croatian general and the chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia from 1995 to 1996.
Imra Agotić was a Croatian general who distinguished himself in the Croatian War of Independence.
The Grand Order of Franjo Tuđman, or officially the Grand Order of President of the Republic Franjo Tuđman with Sash and Morning Star, is the 5th highest state order of Croatia. It is awarded to Croatian citizens, as an expression of the highest recognition of the Republic of Croatia for promoting Croatian state and national interests at home and abroad, especially for promoting civic unity and national unity, statehood and spiritual values of the Croatian people. It is awarded by the President of Croatia. The order has one class. It is named after the first President of Croatia Franjo Tuđman.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Flash is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Flash. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Summer '95 is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Summer '95. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Storm is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Storm. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
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