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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Military Order of William Knight Grand Cross Decorations
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Military Order of William Knight Grand Cross Decorations

Artifact IDMO 1950.24.1.1-2
Object Type Medal
Maker (Dutch watch and award maker, 1841-2018)
Date1948
Mediumbadge: metal, glass (enamel)
sash: ribbon
star: metal (sterling), glass (enamel)
box: wood ?, paper, fabric, metal
Dimensionspart a (badge) H 3 1/2 in x D 1/4 in x W 2 1/4 in (8.9 cm x 5.7 cm x 0.6 cm )
 part b (star) D 1/2 in x Diam 3 1/4 in (1.3 cm x 8.3 cm )
 box/case H 2 3/8 in x W 5 7/8 in x D 10 1/2 in (6 cm x 14.9 cm x 26.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionDecorations of the Militaire Willems-Orde, the oldest and highest honor of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The decorations consist of:

1) A Knight Grand Cross badge in the form of a white Maltese Cross with a gold firesteel at the center and the Dutch words "VOOR," "MOED," “BELEID," and "TROUW" [the motto: Bravery – Leadership – Loyalty] on the arms of the cross. A green enameled Burgundy Cross appears between the arms of the Maltese Cross. The reverse side of the badge is identical except that at the center is a disc that bears a crowned monogram "W" (for King William I) surrounded by a laurel wreath. From a small gold royal crown and ring, the badge is suspended on a royal blue and orange grosgrain sash.

2) A Knight Grand Cross star. It consists of a white Maltese Cross, identical to the badge described above, mounted on a silver, 8-pointed star with straight rays. A hinged bar clasp is on the undecorated reverse side.

The medal and badge are stored in a custom red box on the cover of which is stamped the image of a gold crown. The interior of the cover is lined with indigo-colored fabric with the maker's information stamped in gold: [image of crown] / FIRMA / J. M. J. VAN WIELIK / Leveranciers van de / Kanseiarij der / Nederl. Orden / GEVESTIDG SEDERT 1840 / 9 NOORDEINDE / DEN HAAG.
Historical NoteThe Militaire Willems-Orde rank of Knight Grand Cross was awarded posthumously to Franklin D. Roosevelt by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands on April 15, 1948. These decorations were sent to Eleanor Roosevelt in 1949, along with a personal note, by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Eleanor Roosevelt.
Credit LineGift of Eleanor Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesStamp Collecting Materials (National Archives Identifier 749938)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
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