Kříž Za věrnou službu

The Cross for Faithful Service
Treudienstkreuz


This meritorious decoration was established by King Charles I on 11 October 1906. The cross was intended for general services to the royal house, as well as for the bravery and valour of the soldiers, the Romanian army and the police.


The cross was divided into two grades until 1932:

1. The golden cross, made of gilded silver
2. Silver cross


In 1932, the cross was supplemented by a third grade, the bronze cross


Early after its inception, crosses were made only of base metal and were modified by gilding or silver plating.
From 12 February 1937, swords were established for military groups as a symbol of bravery and courage. On 19 December 1938, in exceptional cases, it was possible to award the cross on the war ribbon, but only in time of war and if the cross was awarded with swords for personal bravery.
The cross was placed quite high in its order in Romania and so as not to inflate the award, in 1932 the number for each class was fixed:

I. Class 2000 people
II. class 5000 people
III. class 8000 people


The type I cross,which was awarded between 1906 and 1932 (see picture) was different in appearance and the ribbon was also different.
The Type II cross, awarded from 1932 to 1947 (see picture) was elegant and massive, while the ribbon also changed colours.
On the obverse of the cross, in the central medallion, two lions are depicted holding in their paws the royal state emblem of Romania, which is surmounted at its top by the royal crown. The metal ribbon below the coat of arms bears the inscription:
NIHIL SINE DEO (For Country and God)


The inscription on the reverse, "SERVICIU CREDINCIOS" For Faithful Service, is the same for both types of crosses.
Note: The translation was probably quite accurate for Faithful Service or For Faithful Service.In practical use and in a looser translation we use For Faithful Service, which rather determines the character of this decoration.


Thank you for clarification colleagues.

Literature:
KLIETMAN Kurt Georg : Pour le Mérité und Tapferkeitsmedaille
KLIETMAN Kurt Georg: Phaleristik Rumanien.Berlin 1977

Kříž 1. typu, 1. třídy, stříbrný.



Prameny:
Kurt-Gerhard Klietman: Phaleristik Rumanien, Berlin 1975
archiv autora

Kříž 2. typu, 1. třídy, zlatý.



Prameny:
Kurt-Gerhard Klietman: Phaleristik Rumanien, Berlin 1975
archiv autora

Kříž 2. typu, 2. třídy, stříbrný.



Prameny:
Kurt-Gerhard Klietman: Phaleristik Rumanien, Berlin 1975
archiv autora

Kříž 2. typu 3. třídy, bronzový s meči.





Prameny:
viz výše