In 1940, shortly after the beginning of the war, the Dutch Government needed additional awards for bravery. At that moment only the Military Order of Williamand the "honorably mention" could be used. During the war several awards were instituded. The first was the Bronze Cross in 1940, followed bij the Cross of Merit and the Flying Cross in 1941 and the Bronze Lion in 1944.

Five official types of this medal exist

• 1 Garrard (suspension bar, unmarked)
• 2 Spink (suspension bar, unmarked)
• 3 Rijks Munt old (suspension bar, mintmark)
• 4 Begeer (knob, marked)
• 5 Rijks Munt new (knob, unmarked)

Medal on the left is Garrard

Several unofficial issues go around:

• "Garrard"
• "Wielik"
• "Begeer"