Luxembourg War Cross
Template:Infobox military award The Luxembourg War Cross (Template:Langx, Template:Langx) is a military decoration of Luxembourg. It was created on 17 April 1945 by the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg.<ref name="Lang">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="OMSA"/> The War Cross recognizes military service and feats of bravery.<ref name="Lang"/><ref name="OMSA"/> The medal is often referred to as the Luxembourg Croix de Guerre (French for War Cross) as French is one of Luxembourg's three official languages.<ref name="arrêté">Template:Cite web</ref>
Luxembourg bestowed the War Cross on both Luxembourg citizens and members of the Allied Forces for acts of particular bravery or valor during the Liberation of Luxembourg.<ref name="arrêté"/> The War Cross could also be awarded to military units.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Luxembourg War Cross was one of the rarest foreign decorations bestowed on allied troops due to the small number of combat operations that took place in Luxembourg—in contrast to major fighting in places like Belgium, France, and Germany.Template:Citation needed
War Cross 1940–1945
The War Cross 1940–1945 was established in April 1945 by Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. This decoration was awarded to members of the armed forces and paramilitary organizations who rendered distinguished service during World War II. Foreigners were also eligible for award.
The medal is a dark bronze cross in the Cross pattée design.<ref name="OMSA"> Template:Cite web</ref> The cross is surmounted by a grand ducal crown.<ref name=clark>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="arrêté"/> On the obverse side it has a large letter C surmounted by a crown. The reverse side of it has the date 1940. The cross has crossed swords between the arms of the cross pointing upward, also made of the dark bronze.<ref name="Lang"/><ref name="OMSA"/> The ribbon of the War Cross is Nassau blue, with three stripes of yellow-orange spaced equally from the center. The edges are also yellow-orange.<ref name=clark/>
War Cross 1951
The War Cross 1951 was instituted in May 1951. This decoration is awarded to those members of Military of Luxembourg and paramilitary organizations who have distinguished themselves through acts of bravery and courage. It may be awarded posthumously. The decoration may also be awarded to foreigners. The War Cross 1951 was established to allow the government of Luxembourg to recognize service in the Korean War, as well as in future conflicts.<ref name=clark/>
The War Cross 1951 appears exactly as the War Cross 1940–1945, with the exception of the reverse. Instead of bearing the date 1940, that space is occupied by a wreath of oak leaves.<ref name=clark/><ref name="arrêté"/>
United States military unit awards
The United States Military allows members of those units which have been awarded the decoration wear the blue and yellow-orange ribbon, enclosed within a gold frame. This represents the unit's receipt of the award as a streamer in the same colors as the ribbon carried on the unit's standard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>