History

The Argentinian Nation to the Valor in Combat Medal (Medalla de la Nación Argentina al Valor en Combate), a.k.a. Medal of Valor in Combat, was instituted in Argentina by the government of the Fourth Military Junta on June 15, 1982. It was founded to reward the soldiers who were fighting at the Falkland War (Guerra de las Malvinas) against Great Britain in 1982.

The Medal was suspended in 1985 along with the change of government, but it was later reinstated by the new government on December 10, 1991.

Currently, the Medal is awarded to foreign and Argentinian military personnel, security forces, National Guard, police and citizens, who have displayed acts of valor in combat in defense of Argentina.

The Medal is the second most prestigious military decoration within the Argentinian Army (A.R.A), after the Cross of the Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valor in Combat.

Before 1991, this Medal featured a motto that translates to "The Fatherland to the Valor in Combat.” Currently, the Medal features an obverse inscription that translates to "The Argentine People to the Valor in Combat.”