Updated: 09 February, 2005

Latvia

• Awards of Latvia In 1920s-30s there were four official awards in the Republic of Latvia: Lacplesis Military Order, the Order of the Three Stars, Viesturs Order and the Cross of Acknowledgement. In 1940 the Occupation rule abolished the awards of Latvia. After the restoration of Latvia's independence, on 25th October 1994 the Order of the Three Stars was restored. Office of the President of Latvia

   
• Order of the Three Stars - Established in 1925, and   is produced from gilded silver. This collar and chain set belonged to Latvian President Alberts Kviesis. A total of only 13 chains were conferred, with very few surviving. Only one is in the Stokholm Museum - awarded to the Swedish King. (Ref: V. Kavaliauskas).

• Order of Lacplesis -More unique is the 1st Class of the Latvian Bear-slayer (Lacplesis) Order, which was established in 1919. Only 11 awards were made, but only 9 conferred. This badge was awarded to the Polish Marshall Juzef Pilsudski. Other recipients are Mussolini, Belgian King Albert, two French Generals, Commander of Estonian Army General Laidoner. The badge is gilded silver, 60 mm. (Ref: V. Kavaliauskas).

• Latvian Medal Book - I recently received a very nice e-mail from Vilius Kavaliauskas who is the author of  "Orders and Decorations: Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania 1918-1940". The book was recently published in the Czech Republic and is written in English. It contains 160 pages, including 27 colour plates, and has all the latest facts on number of awards made. Price is 20 USD plus 3 USD for mailing and handling. If requested, Vilius will autograph the book. The Author's collection of Baltic awards, which includes 4 Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Collar Chains,  is on display at the Moravian National Museum in Brno.Contact in Vilnius Lithuania: Tel/Fax 370-2-750595 or E-mail Vilius Kavaliauskas, at kavaliauskas@aiva.lt

• Memory Medal for Advancing Latvia’s Membership to NATO (hereinafter – Memory Medal) is the Minister’s of Defence Award. It was established on 19 March 2004 due to the admission of the Republic of Latvia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – NATO. The Memory Medal is awarded to express gratitude for the person’s contribution to the development of the Latvian Defence by advancing Latvia’s membership to NATO. List of persons awarded mod.gov.lv

• The Military Order of Lacplesis was the first Order established by the Latvian State and is also its highest award. It was established in 1919, when the Latvian Army fought hard for the liberation of the newly created state.  The most severe battles at that time were with the Germans, and that is why the military order was named after the Latvian epic hero Lacplesis (Bearslayer) who is said to have fought German crusaders back in the 13th century. The order could be awarded to soldiers of the Latvian Army, former members of the Latvian Rifleman regiments and foreigners who had fought alongside Latvians in the Liberation War or otherwise made a significant contribution to the establishment of the Latvian State.

• Latvian Medals Rusty Knight - David Devine

• The Latvian Liberation War Commemorative Badge (1918-1920) The ribbon is normally worn in the Soviet style. (Ref: Apbalvojumi Latvijas Republika (1918-1940)

• Collar of Three Stars Order Order  Vilius Kavaliauskas Collection, Vilnius, Lithuania

• Ribbons of Latvia  Ribbons of Latvia (Part 2) Antonio Prieto