Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir
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| Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir | |
|---|---|
 Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir with Star and Oak Wreath | |
| Type | Order |
| Awarded for | "Merits done, in peace or in war, for the Croatian people and the Independent State of Croatia" |
| Presented by | Independent State of Croatia |
| Eligibility | Civilians and Military Personnel |
| Status | National order |
| Established | 17 May 1941 |
| First award | 1941 |
| Final award | 1959 |
| Total | 483 (1941 - 1945) 50 (after 1945) |
 Ribbon of the Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | Medal of the Crown of King Zvonimir |
The Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir (Croatian: Red krune kralja Zvonimira) is an order awarded by the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) and later the Croatian Council in exile.
The sovereignty of the State was passed on the May 15, 1941 by the Law on the sovereignty of the crown of Zvonimir which made the Independent State of Croatia a de jure monarchy with the second official name (lesser in usage) being the Kingdom of Croatia as it was proclaimed by Poglavnik Ante Pavelić.[1] The law made the crown of Zvonimir the fons honorum of the Order.
The Order was established as a "visible sign of decoration for merits done, in peace or in war, for Croatian people and Independent State of Croatia" on May 17, 1941. The bearers of the grand order and bearers of the first class order were given the title of knight (vitez). The Order was awarded to both domestic and foreign individuals, there are 483 recipients of the Order from 1941 until 1945, and around 50 after 1945.
Order insignia
Cross
A white Croatian cross (also called Croatian trefoil or Zvonimir's cross). On the front in the center it featured the Zvonimir's crown and interlace on the cracks of the cross. The back of the award contained the years 1076 - King Zvonimir's crowning, and 1941 - the establishment of the NDH. with the inscription Bog i Hrvati (God and Croats).[2] The cross was designed by colonel Jakov Machiedo who was the first ceremonial of the Order.[3]
Ribbon
For awards in peacetime the ribbon of the Order is white with two red stripes, while for awards in war time (military personnel) red with two white stripes. The Order had a Grand sash, neck ribbon and medal ribbons.[4]
Leadership of the Order
Heads of the Order
- Ante Pavelić as Poglavnik Head of the Order (1941 - 1959)[5]
- Aimone Tomislav II King and Dynastic Head of the Order (1941 - 1943)
- Stjepan Heffer Appointed successor by Pavelić (1959 - 1973)[6]
Officers of the Order
- Džafer Kulenović Doglavnik (1941-1945) and President of the Council (1951-1956)
- Ivan Perčević Head of the Order office and notary (1941 - 1946)
- Jakov Machiedo Ceremonial (1941 - 1944)
- Vjekoslav Vrančić (after 1947)
- Erih Lisak Aide-de-camp (1941 - 1946)
- Viktor Ivan Prebeg Aide-de-camp (1942 - 1943) Count of the Order office (1943-1945)
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