Updated: 05 June, 2006

Netherlands

• The Dutch Medals Page  A comprehensive collection of medals, ribbons and information

• Medals of the Netherlands   Will Shade

• Kingdom of Netherlands Yuri Yashnev

• Rusty Knight: Dutch Medals David Devine

• Ribbons of the Netherlands Erik Müller

• Medals of the Netherlands Megan Robertson

• The Medal of Dogger Bank (Medaille van Doggersbank, 1781) – The American Revolution of 1776 found many sympathizers in the Dutch Republic, which had, after all, gained its own independence in a similar way. A profitable trade in war materials strengthened these sympathies and the Netherlands were the first country that entered into diplomatic relations with the U.S. (1782). The British saw this support as a “casus belli” and a state of war existed from 1780-1784 (the “fourth” Dutch-British war). On 5 August, 1781 a Dutch squadron of 17 men-of-war, commanded by admiral Zoutman, met a British fleet of 19 warships, commanded by admiral Sir Hyde Parker off Dogger Bank. The ensuing skirmish ended by the withdrawal of the British and this was celebrated as a victory by the Dutch, although in fact the outcome was undecided. Stadholder William V, Prince of Orange (1751-1795) presented a medal to the naval officers and petty officers that had been under fire during the battle. It is an oval medal of 36 x 28mm. The obverse has a winged figure of Victory, facing right and extending a laurel-wreath, standing on the prow of a war-galley, with the legend “Doggers/Bank”. At the lower right the date “VAVG./MDCC/LXXXI”. In the upper part the legend “Pax Qvaeritvr Bello” (Peace is sought by war). Reverse: the legend “Exi/miae/Virtu/tis Praem/ivm” (reward for excellent bravery “Mvnificentia Principis Avriaci” (by the munificence of the Prince of Orange). 19 gold medals were awarded to fleet commanders and ship’s Captains. These were worn from a ribbon of red/white/blue. Silver medals on similar ribbons were awarded to the other naval officers present. Silver medals on orange ribbons were awarded to midshipmen and petty officers. The sailors received a cash bonus. 4 surviving officers received the MWO 3^rd class in 1843. A surviving sailor was made Knight Oaken Crown in 1853. The Dogger Bank Medal can be considered the first Dutch war medal. (Ref: Orders and Decorations of The Netherlands by H.G. Meijer, C.P. Mulder and B.W. Wagenaar)

• Herrineringsmedaille VN - vredesoperaties Cambodia 1992 - Commemorative Medal for UN Peacekeeping Operations Cambodia 1992.

• A new Kosovo Medal and a new clasp for Albania for the Humanitarian Service Medal have been instituted. (Ref: Erik Muller – My Delphi)  

• Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations - On March 23, by Royal Decree, the Dutch have abolished their existing system of UN and Multinational peacekeeping medals. A new 35mm meter bronze medal, the Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations, will replace these two medals. The obverse features a hand emanating from the bottom portion and holding a sword draped in laurel leaves. The point of the sword extends to the middle of a sun with eight rays (four on each side of the sword point). To each side of the sword blade, itself, are clouds. The reverse is the national coat-of-arms.
  The medal is suspended from a thin, 27mm, ribbon divided into nine vertical stripes: white-2mm, purple-4.5mm, white-4mm, red-2mm, white-2mm, blue-2mm, white-4mm, purple-4.5mm and white-2mm.
  Clasps will be issued for the ribbon denoting participation in either a UN or Multinational Peacekeeping Operation and the year(s) of such mission. (Ref: Ed Emmering – May 01)  

• Nijmegen Medal For participation in the 4-day marches around Nijmegen, Netherlands.  There are also a Group Medal and a Medal for Orderlies.

• The Netherlands: Orders, Decorations, Medals Antiques A to Z

• Punta Gorda man receives Dutch Medal for his services in WWII - Neil Van Duyn of Punta Florida has been awarded the War Mobilization Medal. "The medal was given to Mr. Van Duyn because he contributed to the liberation of our country by fleeing the Germans, going to England and participating in the Allied invasion of Europe." "He was also one of the first of our countrymen to return to Rotterdam by submarine after the Germans surrendered the country on Aug. 10.". Jan 02

• Joseph Luns has died aged 90 - One of Europe's most distinguished post-war statesmen; he was Secretary General of Nato for 13 years after serving for 19 years as Dutch Foreign Minister. Recipient of many honours, among them 52 Grand Crosses, including an honorary British Grand Cross of St Michael and St George. He was appointed honorary Companion of Honour in 1971. More

• Dutch Veterans  receive  French Legion of Honour The international commemoration of the Allied D-Day invasion at Normandy 60 years ago had a Dutch element on Sunday as General-Major Rudi Hemmes was presented with an honorary decoration by French President Jacques Chirac. Hemmes was presented with the French Legion of Honour at Arromanches. In total, 11 Dutch veterans received the Legion of Honour from the French government for their role in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. expatica.com 7 Jun 04

• Medals of Remembrance (Thank You) (Netherlands ) These medals were instituted by the Thank You Canada and Allied Forces National Committee to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands in 2000. There is in fact three different medals as follows: Thank You Canada Thank You Liberators (with Canadian Flag) Thank You Liberators (without Canadian Flag)   Thank You Canada and Allied Forces National Committee

• Remise de l’Ordre des arts et lettres à Mr Peter Eötvös dans le grade de Commandeur France awardes composer Mr Peter Eötvös with the Order of Arts and Letters in the rank of Commander. (Article in french)  ambafrance-nl.org 14 Mar 04

• Netherlands honours two Indians Two Indians have been bestowed with decorations by Netherland's Queen Beatrix for their outstanding contribution in promoting bilateral ties. Om Prakash, Professor of Economic History, received the decoration of Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion for very exceptional services in the field of academia and culture. Commodore (retd) Prakash S Lamba, received the decoration of Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for his long-standing services in promoting bilateral trade. hindu.com 2 May 05

• Decoration of Merit in Silver Dutch 'Decoration of Merit' for German Colonel - The Dutch Minister of Defence, Mr Henk Kamp, has decided to award the Dutch 'Decoration of Merit' in silver to the German Colonel Georg Pazderski. He got the Decoration for "his important contribution to the transformation of the first German-Netherlands Corps into a multinational High Readiness Forces (L) Headquarters. As the German Senior Staff Officer, Colonel Pazderski particularly dedicated himself to the German Dutch-cooperation and thus he substantially served the interests of the Headquarters and the Royal Netherlands Army". 1gnc.de Aug 04

• Albert Uderzo, Chevalier de la Reine de Hollande French cartonist, and creator of Astérix, Albert Uderzo has been made a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Lion by the Queen of Belgium. Mr. Uderzo has been awarded a number of international honours including l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur (1989), and Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (2003) from France. Article in French. actuabd.com 29 Apr 06

• Royal Honour for J. Grin J. (Joop) Grin, former Vice-Chairman Board/Supervisory Board of the co-operative dairy organisation Campina, was awarded the title Companion of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Grin, (63) and residing in Slootdorp (Netherlands), devoted many years of effort to the development of the co-operative dairy industry and co-operative herd improvement. europapress.es 19 May 06

Broken Links - For Information Purposes Only

• Frech Embassy in The Netherlands -Nobel Peace Prize for Physics 1999 recipients Professors Hooft and Veltman have been made 'Officier de la Légion d'Honneur.

• .French Embassy in The Netherlands - Rem Koolhaas has been made a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.

• A royal wedding in Amsterdam - Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands married a vivacious Argentine economist Saturday in a popular union that has deepened the attachment of the normally dispassionate Dutch toward their monarchy.  According to Mike Smith, there is to be a new Dutch Medal issued to commemorate the recent Royal wedding. Details to follow (Feb 02)

• Resistance fighter helped track down missing after WWII - Alphonse Claus van Banning, who has died at the age of 89, was active in the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of Holland in the Second World War. Captured by the Gestapo, he ended the war in a concentration camp. He later worked with the Dutch government and the United Nations helping displaced Europeans find out whether members of their family were dead or alive. Knight in the order of Oranje Nassau, War Cross with Bar, Resistance Cross, Distinguished Service medal of the Netherlands' Red Cross, "Nacht und Nebel" cross and la Croix du Combattant de l'Europe. Jun 02

• Dutch Officer Receives US Award Colonel Antoine John Andre Beukering, Royal Netherlands Army, has been awarded the United States Army Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The award was presented by the AFNORTH ACOS J3/7, Major General Kenneth R. Bowra. Colonel Beukering served as the Senior Military Assistant to Major General Bowra, who was the Deputy Commander for KFOR III from March 1, 2000, to October 1, 2000. afnorth.nato.int Feb 02

• Enduring Freedom Medal 2003