| Order of the Cross of Vytis | |
|---|---|
 Sash, badge, and star of the Order of the Cross of Vytis | |
| Type | State Decoration |
| Founded | 30 July 1919 |
| Country |  Lithuania |
| Awarded for | Heroic defense of Lithuania's freedom and independence |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of Vytautas the Great |
| Next (lower) | Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas |
| Related | Medal of the Order of the Cross of Vytis |
TheOrder of the Cross of Vytis (Lithuanian:Vyčio Kryžiaus ordinas) is aLithuanianpresidential award conferred for heroic defence of Lithuania's freedom and independence. November 23 is a holiday in honour of the Order of the Cross of Vytis.
The order was first established on 30 July 1919 as theCross for the Homeland (Kryžius "Už Tėvynę") when the newly establishedLithuanian Army was engaged in theLithuanian–Soviet War.[1] The initial design was based on the PolishVirtuti Militari with an addition of crossed swords, but no such crosses were actually produced.[2] At the time of thePolish–Lithuanian War, the design was criticized for following Polish traditions.
On 26 November 1919, the design was changed to the Cross of theJagiellons, one of the varieties of theCross of Lorraine found on theCoat of arms of Lithuania.[1] On 3 February 1920, the name was changed to the Cross ofVytis. The order had two types: the first type had the crossed swords, and the second type was without the swords. Each type had three classes (the 1st class was the lowest, 3rd class was the highest).[1]
The Order of the Cross of Vytis was the first state decoration of the pre-war Lithuania reinstated after therestoration of independence.[3] The award was established on 15 January 1991. The first to receive the order were the victims of theSoviet attack on the Vilnius TV Tower andon the border post in Medininkai. Other recipients included leaders of theSupreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania, representatives of the world Lithuanian community, officers of theLithuanian Armed Forces for contributing to the withdrawal of theRed Army from Lithuania, and Lithuanian policemen and prosecutors for distinction in combatingorganised crime.[3] According to the Law on State Awards, adopted in 2002, the Order of the Cross of Vytis is conferred for heroic defence of Lithuania's freedom and independence, including armed and unarmed resistance to the1940–90 occupations and service during the independence movement in 1988–90, and other acts of valor and bravery.[4]
The Order of the Cross of Vytis is awarded in five classes:[4]
| 1. Grand Cross |  |
| 2. Commander's Grand Cross |  |
| 3. Commander's Cross |  |
| 4. Officer's Cross |  |
| 5. Knight's Cross |  |
