Cruz de Guerra (Portugal)
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| War Cross (Cruz de Guerra) | |
|---|---|
 Model 1917 class IV | |
| Type | Military decoration |
| Awarded for | Acts of valor in combat |
| Country | Portugal |
| Eligibility | Portuguese military personnel and foreign soldiers serving with Portuguese forces |
| Campaigns | World War I and Portuguese Colonial War |
| Motto | Portuguese: REPÚBLICA PORTUGESA 1917 (Republic of Portugal 1917) |
| Status | No longer awarded |
| Established | 30 November 1916 |
 Ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Grand Officer of the Order of Aviz |
| Equivalent | Grand Officer of the Order of Christ |
| Next (lower) | Distinguished Service Medal (Portugal) |
The War Cross (Portuguese: Cruz de Guerra) – Portuguese military decoration.
The decoration was established by Decree of the President of the Republic of Portugal No. 2:870 30 November 1916[1] to reward officers and soldiers who showed courage, determination, cold blood and other qualities in the face of the enemy during combat operations. Designation pursuant to art. 4 of the decree was to be awarded by the Minister of War, who on 26 July 1917, issued the statute[2] of this decoration and its appearance. According to the decree, the decoration had 4 classes. This decoration was awarded to Portuguese soldiers participating in World War I, for whom this decoration was established. Later, it was also given to soldiers participating in battles in the Portuguese colonies. On 28 May 1946, on the basis of chapter III of the decree[3] of the Minister of War, its statute and appearance were changed. The statute and appearance were changed again on the basis of chapter III of the decree[4] of 20 December 1971, issued by the Minister of Defense.
Rules for Awarding
Pursuant to the statute of 1917,[2] this decoration could be awarded to officers and soldiers of the Portuguese army for deeds performed in the face of the enemy on the battlefield, and above all for courage, determination, cold blood and other praiseworthy deeds during the fight. Based on Article. 9 of the decree of 1946,[3] in addition to Portuguese soldiers, the decoration could be awarded to soldiers of other armies cooperating with Portuguese troops, as well as civilians, both Portuguese citizens and foreigners. Whereas Art. 14 of the decree of 1971[4] specifies that the decoration may be awarded to Portuguese soldiers, as well as civilians, both Portuguese citizens and foreigners cooperating with the Portuguese army.[citation needed]
