Order of Michael the Brave

Order of Michael the Brave Ordinul Mihai Viteazul
The Order "Michael the Brave" third class, as it looked in the early years of the Second World War, during the reign of King Michael. After the King's Coup, the date was changed. The M in the center of the cross was the cypher of the King at that time.
Awarded by The King of the Romanians (1916 – 1947) The President of Romania (since 2000)
Type	Military Award
Eligibility	Military personnel on active service
Status	Awarded only in time of war
Statistics
Established	1916, re-instituted 2000
First awarded	1916
Last awarded	1944 and disbanded in 1947
Precedence
Next (higher)	None (Highest)
Next (lower)	Order of the Star of Romania
Ribbon of the Order of Michael the Brave

The Order of Michael the Brave (Romanian: Ordinul Mihai Viteazul) is Romania's highest military decoration, instituted by King Ferdinand I during the early stages of the Romanian Campaign of the First World War, and was again awarded in the Second World War. The Order, which may be bestowed either on an individual or on a whole unit, was named in honor of Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul), a late 16th-century Prince of Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia.

The First Class Insignia is referred to as a Grand Commander of the Order.

The Second Class Insignia of the Order is referred to as a Commander of the Order.

The Third Class Insignia of the Order is referred to as an Officer of the Order. This grade was widely awarded rather than the higher grades.

During the Second World War, at a time when Romania was allied with Germany, the Order was awarded to several members of the military forces of other Axis Powers, many in the Wehrmacht: