User:Milevie/Riflemen's star



Riflemen's star (The Star of Riflemen) is a National Defence System decoration bestowed by Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania. The star is awarded to distinguised members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, other citizens of Lithuania and foreign countries for merits to the Riflemen's Union and the Republic of Lithuania. The Riflemen's star is recognised as an order.

History
The idea of an award for the members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union was created in 1927, before the tenth anniversary of the Union. The Riflemen's star project was created by the sculptor Petras Rimša. The description and the statute of the order was approved in 1930.

Description
The Riflemen's star consists of of three petal-shaped rays, resembling a lily, coated in enamel, upon a silver sun. A shield with the Cross of Vytis is can be found on the top middle vertical ray. A shield with Vytis is placed in the middle of the order.

The ribbon bar of the order is dark green with two white bands on the sides and a red band in the middle.

Bestowal
The Riflemen's star is bestowed by Minister of National Defence on behalf of the leader of the Riflemen's Union. The Riflemen's star is awarded to:
 * riflemen who, upon received a responsible role in the Riflemen Union, showed exceptional organisational talents,
 * riflemen privates who showed honesty, determination, and resilience,
 * citizens who merited the Riflemen Union or the Republic of Lithuania,
 * riflemen and citizens of foreign countries may be awarded the Riflemen's star for showing significant benevolence to the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union.

Riflemen are awarded during the following national holidays:
 * 16th of February (Act of Independence of Lithuania)
 * 24th of June (Riflemen Day)
 * 6th of July (Statehood Day)
 * 23rd of November (Lithuanian Military Day)

In special cases, the Riflemen's star may be awarded on other dates. The same decoration is not awarded twice to the same person. A certificate of decoration is received with the star. People awarded with Riflemen's star have the right to wear it on the uniform as well as civilian clothing.

Cavaliers
Petras Ciunis - 1939