Yugoslav Orden za Hrabrost ribbon bar awarded to a Yugoslavian partisan
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm) | Width: 1.375 inches (3.493 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
Creator(s)
- Dudo Montiljo (Previous owner)
Biographical History
Duda Montiljo (birth name Leon Montiljo, 1909-1995) was born in Visoko, Austria Hungary (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) to Jakob and Rahele Montiljo. As an adult, he settled in Prnjavor and worked as a merchant. On April 6, 1941, Germany and Italy, supported by Hungary and Bulgaria, invaded Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was partitioned, and central Yugoslavia, including Prnjavor, was formed into the independent State of Croatia, which was governed by the Ustaše and administered by the Germans. The regime enacted anti-Jewish laws, confiscated property and money, forced males to work hard labor and then began deporting Jews to camps. Dudo’s mother, Rahele, and his four siblings, Rene, Klare, Smoela, and Morica were deported to and killed in the camps. In 1943, Dudo joined the 3rd battalion of the 10th Brigade of the People's Liberation Army (Yugoslav partisans). He fought with the partisans in Yugoslavia during the war and lost three fingers, including the second and third fingers of his right hand. After recovery, Dudo worked in the People’s Liberation Committee in Hercegovina until the end of the war. After the war he retired from the military a lieutenant and was recognized as a disabled veteran due to his injuries. He was married to Anica Finci.
Archival History
The ribbon bar was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993 by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Yugoslavia.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Yugoslavia
Scope and Content
Yugoslav Медаље за Храброст (Order of Bravery) ribbon bar awarded to Dudo Montiljo on April 1, 1949, in recognition for his efforts as a partisan during the Axis occupation of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945. The medal was instituted on August 15, 1943, and awarded to both military personnel and civilians for acts of bravery during World War II. The motto of the Yugoslavian partisan movement, “Death to fascism, freedom to the people” is embossed on the face. Dudo lived in Prnjavor, where he worked as a merchant when Yugoslavia was invaded and partitioned by Germany and its allies in April, 1941. After the Yugoslav surrender, Dudo joined the 3rd battalion of the 10th Brigade of the People's Liberation Army (Yugoslav partisans). While fighting with the partisans Dudo lost three fingers, including the second and third fingers of his right hand. After his recovery, Dudo worked in the People’s Liberation Committee in Hercegovina until the end of the war. The Germans and their Croatian Ustaše collaborators deported and killed Dudo’s mother, Rahele, and his four siblings, Rene, Klare, Smoela, and Morica.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Metal bar pin covered with a red grosgrain ribbon, and three vertical yellow pinstripes on each end. On the back, a plate with a safety clasp pin is attached to the bar.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Jewish resistance.
- Medals--Yugoslavia.
- Holocaust survivors--Yugoslavia--Biography.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Jewish resistance.
- Yugoslavia.
- World War, 1939-1945--Occupied territories.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Yugoslavia.
Genre
- Object
- Military decorations.
- Military Insignia