ORDER OF THE STAR OF KARAGEORGE
(Orden Karadjordjeve zvezde - Орден Карађођеве звезде)
Order of the Star of Karageorge, Grand Officer's set of insignia (2nd Class)
Neck Badge and Breast Star
The Order of the Star of Karageorge was instituted in 1904 by King Peter I (Karageorgevich) to commemorate the centennial of the first Serbian anti-Ottoman campaign led by his grandfather Karageorge Petrovich. Prince Peter Karageorgevich was elected King of Serbia by the Parliament after the coup d'Etat and the overthrow of King Alexander I (Obrenovich) in 1903.
The Order of the Star of Karageorge was organized in 4 classes with limited number of appointments (numerus clausus) for domestic recipients:
Grand Cross: Sash badge and breast star (max 10 recipients)
Grand Officer: Neck badge and breast star (max 40 recipients)
Commander: Neck badge (max 120 recipients)
Officer: Breast badge (max 300 recipients)
The badge of the Order is white enamelled cross with gilt fimbriations along the edges. The central roundel is blue and displays the 'arms of the nation' (Gules a Cross between four Firestells Argent) and surrounded by white ring bearing the Order's motto ЗА ВЕРУ И СЛОБОДУ 1804 (ZA VERU I SLOBODU 1804 = FOR THE FAITH AND FREEDOM 1804). The motto refers to the year of the First Serbian uprsing againsth the Ottomans, led by Karageorge Petrovich, King Peter's grandfather and the founder of the dynasty.
The roundel is red on reverse and displays the 'arms of State' (Gules a double headed eagle argent on escucheton of the first a cross between four firesteels of the second, all surmounted with the royal crown) with the main shield ommited. The ring is blue and inscribed ПЕТАР I 1904 (PETER I 1904). Between the arms of the cross are gilt radiant rays.
The cross is suspended on heraldic royal crown. The star is silver of 8 points, displaying the badge without the crown. The sash is red with white stripes.
The Order of the Star of Karageorge was not merely order of merit, but an institution during the monarchy. By limiting its awad, subject to the constraints imposed by the necessity of making awards as dictated by dipomatic and military protocol, subsequent rulers kept it in high esteem and preserved its value, especially in the higher classes.
According to the Order's statutes, all male descendents of Karageorge Petrovich receive Grand Cross at birth.
Order of the Star of Karageorge with swords
The military division of the Star of Karageorge was awarded only to servicemen- and women and only in wartime, unlike other orders of merit aimed exclusively to military personnel (The 1904 foundation law states that "the Star of Karageorge awarded for war merits will have two crossed swords between arms of the cross"). It can only conditionally considered a higher award then its "civil" counterpart (despite officially having precedence) and only in the case of same person being awarded same classes of both divisions.
Although without numerical limitations, the Order of the Star of Karageorge with swords was very scarcely bestowed, especially in higher classes. There was no automatic membership for the members of the Royal House.
There were apparently only three Grand Crosses awarded to Serbs - King Alexander I of Yugoslavia and Field Marshals Zivojin Misic and Stepan Stepanovic. Field Marshal Radomir Putnik, despite being Serbian Chief of Staff 1903-1916 and a recipient of the Grand Cross (1st class) of the civil division, was only appointed Grand Officer (2nd Class) of the military division. Notable foreign recipients of the Grand Cross include General John Pershing (US) and General Louis Franchet d'Espérey (France).
The insignia are the same as for the civil division, but with crossed swords betwen the arms of the cross. The riband of the order is plain red.
Soldiers' Star of Karageorge with Swords
In order to prevent the inflation of the 4th, officer's class of the Order by massive awards to lower, but still worthy military personnel (which was in the constant state of war from 1912-1918), the Order was extended with the “Soldiers’ Star of Karageorge with Swords” in gold and silver classes in 1915.
Soldiers' Order of the Star of Karageorge, Silver (2nd) Class
Obverse and Reverse
The Soldiers’ Star of Karageorge with Swords was intended to award outstanding NCOs and privates who would otherwise be awarded the 4th, officer’s class.
The design was the same as the officer’s class, but the badge was all gilt (with silver swords) for the Golden and the inverse in case of the Silver Privates’ Order of the Star of Karageorge with Swords.
