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Quiz about Gallantry Medals of the World

Gallantry Medals of the World Trivia Quiz

This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the most famous (and not so famous) gallantry medals from around the world.

A multiple-choice quiz by ancientnav. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
ancientnav

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
340,177

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1452

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Of what metal is the Victoria Cross made? Hint

18 carat gold

Bronze

Sterling silver

Cupro-nickel

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the inscription on the Victoria Cross? Hint

For Gallantry

For Valour

For Bravery in the Field

For Conspicuous Gallantry

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Question 3 of 10

3. Up to 2010, how many times had a bar to the Victoria Cross been awarded (for a second award)? Hint

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which gallantry medal was inaugurated by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802? Hint

The Croix de Guerre

The Croix de Merite

The Medaille Militaire

The Legion d'Honneur

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Question 5 of 10

5. When was the Iron Cross instituted? Hint

1870

1813

1914

1939

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the earliest American decoration for conspicuous military service? Hint

The Medal of Honor

The Navy Cross

The Silver Star

The Purple Heart

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Question 7 of 10

7. During which war was the US Medal of Honor instituted? Hint

The Revolutionary War

The Civil War

The Spanish American War

The First World War

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the British Armed Forces what symbol on the medal ribbon denotes a mention in despatches? Hint

Star

Rosette

Crossed Swords

Oak leaf

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Question 9 of 10

9. What pre-Soviet Russian order was the only one to be awarded exclusively for gallantry? Hint

St Vladimir

St Andrew

St George

St Catherine

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Order of the Golden Kite was awarded to members of which country's armed forces? Hint

Japan

Thailand

China

India

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Of what metal is the Victoria Cross made?

Answer: Bronze

To this day, the London jewellers of Hancock & Co make Victoria Crosses using bronze from cannon captured from the Russians in the Crimean War.

2. What is the inscription on the Victoria Cross?

Answer: For Valour

"For Gallantry" appears on the George Cross, "For Bravery in the Field" on the Military Medal and "For Conspicuous Gallantry" on the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (unsurprisingly!)

3. Up to 2010, how many times had a bar to the Victoria Cross been awarded (for a second award)?

Answer: 3

It is extremely rare for a VC and bar to be awarded, and it has not occurred since 1942. The three recipients were Lieutenant A. Martin-Leake, Captain N.G.Chavasse and Second Lieutenant C.Upham. The first two were doctors in the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1, Charles Upham served in the New Zealand Military Forces in WW2.

4. Which gallantry medal was inaugurated by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802?

Answer: The Legion d'Honneur

The Medaille Militaire was inaugurated in 1852 and the Croix de Guerre in 1915. There is no such medal as the Croix de Merite.

5. When was the Iron Cross instituted?

Answer: 1813

Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia instituted the Iron Cross. All Iron Crosses bear the date 1813 on the reverse. Later issues carry the date 1870, 1914 or 1939 on the obverse, as appropriate.

6. What was the earliest American decoration for conspicuous military service?

Answer: The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart was instituted by George Washington in the Revolutionary War (The War of Independence). It was not originally a medal as such, but a purple silk heart which was sewn directly onto the uniform.

7. During which war was the US Medal of Honor instituted?

Answer: The Civil War

The medal was instituted in Congress in 1861 for the Navy and 1862 for the Army. Interestingly, between 1919 and 1942 the Navy version of the medal carried a bar inscribed 'Valour', spelt thus, in the British style.

8. In the British Armed Forces what symbol on the medal ribbon denotes a mention in despatches?

Answer: Oak leaf

Those who have served meritoriously, but who do not quite merit the award of a gallantry medal, are often 'mentioned in despatches' by their superiors and a bronze oak leaf is a symbol of this fact.

9. What pre-Soviet Russian order was the only one to be awarded exclusively for gallantry?

Answer: St George

The Order of St George was the premier pre-revolutionary Russian award for gallantry. It consisted of four classes, the highest of which was awarded very rarely.

10. The Order of the Golden Kite was awarded to members of which country's armed forces?

Answer: Japan

According to legend, a kite hovering in the air helped to win a victory for an early Japanese emperor.

Source: Author ancientnav

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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