Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross

[stratasfan]

The Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross was originally known as the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross and awarded to officers, NCOs and men of the Brazilian Imperial Army and Navy during the war against Paraguay (1865-1870), called War of the Triple Alliance (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay against Paraguay). This order was certainly awarded to some members of allied armies.

 

Founded on December 1, 1822 by Emperor Peter I of Brazil (IV of Portugal) as an Order of Chivalry, but abolished by decree of February 24, 1891. Re-established by President Getúlio Vargas on December 5, 1932.

 

The difference between both, is in the fact of that the Imperial Order of the Cruise destined it dignitários Brazilians and foreigners.

 

Already National Order of the Southern Cross (ONCS) for force of the cited decree was restricted the foreign personalities. Its concession or act to grant is given for presidential decree, configuring an act of foreign affairs. It is the highest Brazilian decoration attributed the foreign citizens. In the truth it is a form of the Brazilian Government to reverenciar foreign that they carry through great done for the country.

 

"As a token of gratitude and recognition for those who have rendered significant service to the Brazilian nation."

 

Description: The hashmark of the Order is a star of five enamelled of white and orlados arms of silver golden, seated on a crown and encimada for a wreath, both made of leves of tobacco and coffee, having, in the center, in celestial blue field, the constellation of the Southern Cross, enameled of white and, in the circumference, blue circle ferrete, legend BENEMERENTIUM PREMIUM, in polishing gold. In the reverse efígie of the Republic, in gold with the legend FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL "(Art. 2º of the Regulation).

 

 

The Order consists of the "Grand Master" and six classes:

 

 

Grand Collar - The recipient wears the adorned "Grand Collar", a chain from which the badge of the order is suspended. The recipient is also allowed to combine the wearing of the Grand Collar with any of the following insignia, or with both: the "Star" of the Order (a plaque modelled after the badge of the Order, to be worn on the left breast); and the Sash of the Order, that is proper to those of Grand Cross rank (a light blue sash, to be worn on the right shoulder). Awards of the Grand Collar are restricted to foreign Heads of State.

 

Grand Cross - The recipient wears the Sash of the Order, and the badge of the Order hangs from the bottom part of that sash (given that the sash is worn on the right shoulder, the badge hangs close to the left leg, by the waist line). The recipient further wears the "star" of the Order, displayed on the left breast.

 

Grand Official - The recipient wears the badge of the Order around the neck suspended from a blue ribbon necklet, and the star of the order is displayed on the left breast.

 

Commander - The recipient wears the badge of the order around the neck, suspended from a blue ribbon necklet.

 

Officer - The recipient wears the badge of the Order on left breast suspended from a ribbon with a rosette.

 

Knight - The recipient wears the badge of the Order on the left breast suspended from a simple ribbon.

 

(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia)

 

Class of Commander:

 

 

 

If anyone has more information or pictures of this medal, feel free to post it here! 

[stratasfan]

 

Fleet Admiral Halsey's Brazilian Orders/Grand Cross.

 

(Courtesy @4starchris)

[Brig]

Here's a WWII-era case that was with the medal awarded to Thomas Ridge, the USMC attache in Brazil during the first half of WWII. Unfortunately, I do not know where the medal is, the medals weren't included with the group when I acquired it.