History

The War Cross (1940-1945) was created on July 20, 1941 by the Belgian government in exile in London. It was awarded to members of the Belgian Armed Forces, as well as to entire units, foreign military personnel, escaped prisoners of war, and armed resistors for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy during the Second World War.

Several different clasps were awarded for mentions in official dispatches. A bronze lion was awarded for a citation at the regimental level, a silver lion was awarded for a citation at the brigade level, a gold lion was awarded for a citation at the divisional level, and a bronze palm branch with an "L" for Leopold III was awarded for an army citation. A silver palm branch with an "L" for Leopold III was awarded to replace five bronze palm clasps, and a gilt palm branch with an "L" for Leopold III was awarded to replace five silver palm branch clasps. Bronze crossed anchors were worn on the ribbon when the Cross was awarded to naval personnel. The Cross was also awarded posthumously with a palm branch clasp to those who died in combat.

On January 1, 1954 the War Cross (1940-1945) was officially extended to Belgian and foreign military personnel who fought in the Korean War from December 18, 1950-July 27, 1953. In reality, the Cross had been awarded for the Korean War since 1951. It may appear with or without a bronze "L" palm clasp.