BRAZIL

The Bragança Dynasty

MEDALS

The Medal of Independence (Medalha da Independência "Restauração da Bahia"): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 2nd July 1825, following a proposal from the Constituent Assembly, to recognise and honour the services of the miliary and naval forces that defended the fatherland against the Portuguese. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold for general officers and worn from a neck ribbon, 2. Second Class in silver for officers between the rank of Colonel and Ensign, and 3. Third Class in copper for non-commissioned officers and other ranks). Recipients could exchange the class of award for the higher class on promotion, a colonel who became a general exchanging the silver for gold, etc.

The Medal of Independence - First Class.

The Medal for the Conquest of Cayenne (Medalha da Tomada de Cayenna): instituted by the Prince Regent Dom João on behalf of Queen Dona Maria I in September 1810. Awarded for the seizure of the then French colony of Cayenne on 14th January 1809, by which Brazilian territory was extended up to the River Marony. Awarded in four classes (1. First Class in gold, 2. Second Class in silver-gilt, 3. Third Class in silver, and 4. Fourth Class in bronze).
The Cisplatina Campaign Medal (Medalha da Campanha Cisplatina): instituted by the Prince Regent Dom João on behalf of Queen Dona Maria I on 20th January 1813 to recognise the services of those who took part in the Cisplatina campaign for the pacification of Montevideo in 1811-1812. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold-generals and commanding officers, 2. Second Class in silver-junior officers, cadets and civil officials, and 3. Third Class in tin-other ranks). Those who received wounds during the campaign received their medals with a tiny hole to symbolise the scar or wound.
The Second Cisplatina Campaign Medal (Medalha da Segunda Campanha Cisplatina): instituted by the Prince Regent Dom Pedro on 25th September 1825 to recognise the services of those who took part in both the first (1811-1812) and second (1817-1822) Cisplatina campaigns. The last of these ended in July 1821 when the province was incorporated into the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Awarded in the form of a Maltese cross into which the first Cisplatina medal was inserted, in three classes (1. First Class in gold-generals and worn from a neck ribbon, 2. Second Class in silver-junior officers, cadets and civil officials, 3. Third Class in tin-other ranks).
The Commemorative Medal for the Formation of the Civil Guard (Medalha Comemorativa da Criação da Guarda Cívica): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro I in 1822 to commemorate the creation of the Civil Guard in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in October 1822, the militia unit which defended the independence of Brazil from the Portuguese. Awarded in a single class, a circular gold medal.
The Montevideo Medal or Baron Laguna Medal (Medalha da Campanha de Montevidéo or Medalha do Barão de Laguna): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 31st January 1823, as a reward of distinguished, important and diverse services in the province of Montivideo, by those who remained loyal to Brazil. Awarded in the from of a cross, marked with the number of years of service upon the arms, in three classes (1. First Class in gold and enamels for general officers and worn from a neck ribbon, 2. Second Class in gold and silver for other officers, 3. Third Class in white metal and fine tin for inferior and non-commissioned officers, other ranks and civil officials).ranks and civil officials).
The General Medal for the Pacification of Pernambuco (Medalha Geral da Pacificação de Pernambuco): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 20th October 1824 to recognise the services of those who took part in the campaign to pacify the Province of Pernambuco and who maintained law and order during the insurrection. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold for general officers and worn from a neck ribbon, 2. Second Class in silver for officers between the rank of Colonel and Ensign, and 3. Third Class in copper for non-commissioned officers and other ranks).
The Medal for Distinction in Combat in the Pacification of Pernambuco (Medalha de Distinção em Combate da Pacificação de Pernambuco): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 20th October 1824 to reward brave conduct and gallantry during the Pernambuco campaign by officers and men of the army and navy, especially those under the command of Admiral Lord Dundonald. Awarded in a single class, a gold medal worn from a neck ribbon.

The Uruguay Campaign Medal 1851-1852 - Second Class.

The Uruguay Campaign Medal 1851-1852 (Medalha da Campanha do Uruguai e Buenos Aires): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 14th March 1852 to recognise the services of those who took part in the Uruguay campaign of 1851-1852. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold, measuring 6cm and worn from a neck ribbon-general officers, 2. Second Class in silver, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-other officers, and 3. Third Class in zinc antimony, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-NCOs and other ranks).
The Monte Caseros Medal (Medalha de Monte Caseros): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 14th March 1852 to recognise the services of those who took part in the victorious Battle of Monte Caseros under the command of the Argentinian General Urquiza.

The Medal for the Naval Campaign on the River Plate 1851-1852.

The Medal for the Naval Campaign on the River Plate 1851-1852 (Medalha da Campanha Naval do Rio da Prata 1851-52): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 1st April 1852 to recognise the services of those who took part in the Battle of the River Plate under the command of Admiral John Pascoe Grenfell. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold, measuring 6cm and worn from a neck ribbon-flag officers, 2. Second Class in silver, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-senior officers, and 3. Third Class in zinc antimony, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-midshipmen, cadets, NCOs and raings).
The Tonelero Medal (Medalha de Tonelero): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 1st April 1852 to recognise the services of those who took part in the Battle of Tonelero, in the River Plate, on 17th December 1851. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold, measuring 6cm and worn from a neck ribbon-flag officers, 2. Second Class in silver, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-senior officers, and 3. Third Class in zinc antimony, measuring 3cm and worn from a chest ribbon-midshipmen, cadets, NCOs and raings).

The Humanity Medal - obverse (L) and reverse (R).

The Humanity Medal (Medalha à humanidade): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 14^th March 1855 as a civil decoration to reward extraordinary act of and services to humanity, particular with regard to saving life at sea or during shipwreck, fire, pestilence, plague or other natural calamity. Awarded in two classes (1. First Class in gold - awarded to those who risked their own lives, and 2. Second Class in silver - awarded to those showing dedication beyond the call of ordinary humanity). Revived and reformed by the republican regime in 1889.
The Medal for Bravery (Medalha de Bravura): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 1^st May 1867. A military decoration, originally instituted during the Paraguay campaign but later extended to the armed forces in general and awarded for bravery in war. Awarded on the recommendaion of the Commander-in-Chief at the conclusion of a military campaign, in two classes (1. First Class in gold, and 2. Second Class in silver), according to the level of bravery and irrespective of the rank, satus or title of the recipient.
The Uruguay Campaign Medal 1865 or the Paysandu Medal (Medalha da Campanha do Uruguai or Medalha Paysandu): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 8th March 1865 to reward the services of members of the National Guard who took part in the Uruguay Campaign under General Barreto. Extended on 28th June 1865 to cover the services of the naval squadron under the command of Viscount Tamandaré. Awarded in two classes (1. First Class in gold-officers, and 2. Second Class in silver-other ranks).

The Uruguiana Campaign Medal in gold.

The Fort Coimbra Medal (Medalha do Forte de Coimbra): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 8th July 1865 to recognise the services of those who defended the Fort of Coimbra against the Paraguayans in December 1864. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold-field officers and above, 2. Second Class in silver-captains and subalterns, and 3. Third class in bronze-other ranks).
Medal for the Surrender of Uruguiana (Medalha da Rendição de Uruguaiana): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 20th September 1865 at the instigation of the Minister for War, to reward all those present, assisted and who took part in the surrender of the Paraguayan Army and the occupation of the town of Uruguiana. Awarded in two classes (1. First Class in gold to members of the Imperial Family, ministers of state and general officers, and 2. Second Class in silver to civil officials, government servants and distinguished persons).

Medal for the Surrender of Uruguiana - Second Class.

Paraguay Campaign Medal 1865-1868 (Medalha da Campanha do Paraguai 1865-1868): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 6th August 1870 as a general campaign medal for all officers and men of the Brazilian army and navy who took part in the war against Paraguay. Also awarded to officers and men of the allied forces of Argentina and Uruguay. A special clasp recorded the number of years of service during the war. Awarded in the form of a maltese cross in three classes (1. First Class in gold-field officers and above, 2. Second Class in silver-captains and subalterns, and 3. Third class in bronze-other ranks).

The Paraguay Campaign Medal - Third Class with one year service clasp.

The Medal of Merit for Military Bravery (Medalha de Merito à bravura militar): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 28^th March 1868 to recognise bravery and distinguished service during the Paraguay campaign. Awarded in two classes (1. First Class in gold-officers, and 2. Second Class in silver-other ranks).

The Medal of Merit for Military Bravery - Second Class.

The Medal for the Naval Battle of Riachuelo (Medalha da Batalha Naval do Riachuelo): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 18th November 1865 to recognise the services of naval officers and men at the Battle of Riachuelo. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold, measuring 37mm and worn from a neck ribbon - admirals and senior commanding officers, 2. Second Class in silver, measuring 25mm and worn from a chest ribbon - junior officers, and 3. Third class in bronze, measuring 25mm and worn from a chest ribbon - ratings of the Imperial Navy and soldiers of the Marine Battalion).

The Medal for the Naval Battle of Riachuelo - Second Class in silver.

The Humaitá Campaign Medal (Medalha de Humaitá): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 14th March 1868 to recognise the services of officers and ratings of the Imperial Navy that took part in breaching the batteries a the Fortress of Humaitá and opened up the passage of the Paraguay River, during the war agains Paraguay. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold-senior officers, 2. Second Class in silver-junior officers, and 3. Third class in bronze-ratings).
The Mato Grosso Campaign Medal (Medalha da Campanha do Mato Grosso): instituted by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 7th August 1867 as a campaign medal for those who took part in the expedition and campaign in Mato Grosso. Awarded in a single class, an oval silver medal.

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