Order of Freedom (Yugoslavia)


Order of Freedom was the highest military decoration awarded in Yugoslavia, and the second highest Yugoslav state decoration after the Yugoslav Great Star. It was awarded to the commanders of large military units for skillful leadership and for the outstanding courage of the troops. It was awarded to both Yugoslavian and foreign military commanders, and was the most rarely awarded of all Yugoslavian orders, decorations, and medals, being awarded only 7 times before the breakup of Yugoslavia.
After the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia, the Order of Freedom was awarded in Serbia and Montenegro.

History

The Order of Freedom was founded on 12 June 1945 and was awarded by the Presidium of the AVNOJ. The recipient could be nominated by the Federal Executive Council of Yugoslavia, Executive Council of one of the Republics, Federal Secretary for Foreign Affairs or Federal Secretary for Defense.
After the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia continued to use some of the decorations of former Yugoslavia, among them the Order of Freedom. It was awarded by the President of FR Yugoslavia. It was the highest military decoration in FR Yugoslavia, and the third highest state decoration overall, after the Order of Yugoslavia and the Yugoslav Great Star.

Recipients

The Order was awarded a total of 9 times — 7 times in SFR Yugoslavia and 2 times in FR Yugoslavia. The recipients were:

SFR Yugoslavia

On 16 June 1999 the Order of Freedom was awarded to: