Medalia "Eliberarea de sub jugul fascist"

The Medal for Liberation from the Fascist Yoke was the first decoration instituted by the communists after they seized power (by Decree No. 309 of July 18, 1949). It was awarded to soldiers who fought on the Western Front in World War II, to mark the fifth anniversary of the events of August 23. Decree No. 309/1949 concerning the establishment of the Medal for Liberation from the Fascist Yoke was published in Official Bulletin No. 49 of July 28, 1949.

In Romania, all traditional Romanian decorations had been abolished, including those awarded for acts of arms on the Western Front. This new decoration had nothing in common with the old commemorative insignia for Romania’s wars, but was inspired by Soviet ones.

The Medal was a circular piece, with the effigies of a Romanian soldier and a Soviet soldier on the obverse and, around the edge, the name of the Medal; on the reverse, within a laurel wreath interrupted by the initials “R.P.R.,” was written “IN THE SERVICE OF THE WORKING PEOPLE.” The ribbon was red, crossed by three white bands, and was folded pentagonally on a metal mount, as with all Soviet decorations.