---

Honorary Titles

---

Besides orders and decorations, the People's Republic of Poland had also a third type of awards - the honorary titles. Unlike in the Soviet Union and other soviet dominated countries, in People's Poland there were no "hero" titles. There existed however a variety of professional titles of honor. They were important awards, ranking right after the uppermost classes of orders, and conferred sparingly. They were bestowed by the State Council, and from 1989 by the President of the Republic. All honorary titles were abolished in 1992, but their holders keep the right to use the titles. Apart from the title itself, the holder was entitled to wear a special badge as its visual token.

1.Badge

Meritorious Miner of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Gornik Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of November 9, 1955. Conferred for long and outstanding work in mining industry. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY GORNIK : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there are crossed silver hammers - the symbol of mining industry. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled green with black side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Iron Worker of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Hutnik Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of November 9, 1955. Conferred for long and outstanding work in the field of iron and smelting industry. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY HUTNIK : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath under which a silver toothed wheel can be seen. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled red with black side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Railroad Worker of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Kolejarz Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of November 9, 1955. Conferred for long and outstanding work in railroads service. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY KOLEJARZ : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is the symbol of Polish Railroads - a stylized silver leaf spring. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled red with a blue stripes on either side flanked by narrower ones. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Teacher of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Nauczyciel Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of August 4, 1956. Conferred to school and university teachers for long and outstanding work in the field of education. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY NAUCZYCIEL : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is a silver open book. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled blue with golden side pinstripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Shipyard Worker of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Stoczniowiec Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of June 8, 1968. Conferred for long and outstanding work in shipyard industry. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY STOCZNIOWIEC : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; above the medallion there is a silver anchor with a toothed wheel superimposed on it. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled light blue with red side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Physician of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Lekarz Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of April 26, 1979. Conferred to medical doctors and dentists for long and outstanding work in the field of medicine. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY LEKARZ : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is a silver triangle holding the symbol of medicine - a caduceus. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled white with blue side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious to National Health

(Zasluzony dla Zdrowia Narodu)

Instituted by act of Parliament of April 26, 1979. Conferred to medical personnel, other than doctors, for long and outstanding work in the field of medicine. It was also granted to most outstanding blood donors, who had donated 25 liters of blood. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest. Since 1997 honorary blood donors may obtain the Honorary Blood Donor Decoration - Meritorious to National Health , equivalent to the former honorary title.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY DLA ZDROWIA NARODU. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is a silver triangle holding the symbol of medicine - a caduceus. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled white with blue side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Dock Worker of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Portowiec Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of February 27, 1982. Conferred to dockers for long and outstanding work. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY PORTOWIEC : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; above the medallion there is a silver anchor with a round shield showing three cranes superimposed on it. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled medium blue with double golden pinstripes at either side. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious to National Culture

(Zasluzony dla Kultury Narodowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of November 15, 1984. Conferred for long and outstanding work in the field of culture, where no other decoration seems relevant. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY DLA KULTURY NARODOWEJ. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is a silver head of a Ionic column. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled white with red side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Energy Worker of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Energetyk Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of January 31, 1985. Conferred for long and outstanding work in energy industry. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY LEKARZ : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is the symbol of Polish energy industry - a silver letter "E" pierced by a lightning. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled yellow with black side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Farmer of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Rolnik Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of May 10, 1985. Conferred to individual farmers and workers collective farming for long and outstanding work. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY ROLNIK : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom it is additionally encircled by two silver corn spikes. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled light green with red side stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious to Justice of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony dla Wymiaru Sprawiedliwosci Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of June 20, 1985. Conferred to judges, attorneys and lawyers for long and outstanding work in the field of justice. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY DLA WYMIARU SPRAWIEDLIWOSCI. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is a silver triangle holding the symbol of medicine - a snake encircling a post. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled violet with red (inner) and green (outer) edge stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Meritorious Printer of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Drukarz Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of July 10, 1985. Conferred for long and outstanding work in the area of printing. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain gilt rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a silver non-crowned eagle on red background, surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY DRUKARZ : PRL. The whole is encircled by a gilt laurel wreath; at the bottom there is the symbol of printers - a silver gryphon turned left.. The reverse is plain.

Suspension: a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, of three equal stripes of yellow, red and blue, separated by two narrow black stripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Pilot-Cosmonaut of the People's Republic of Poland

(Pilot-Kosmonauta Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of July 20, 1978. Conferred to the persons who have completed a flight into the open space. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

Badge: a circular medallion 34 mm of diameter. In the center on light blue background there is the head of an astronaut in a space helmet, with a racket encircling it. On the right there is the three line inscription LOTNIK / KOSMONAUTA / PRL. Below the medallion there is a laurel spray adorned with three diamonds. The spray and other metal parts of the badge are of oxydized silver. The reverse is plain with a screw for mounting.

Note: the only person elligible for that decoration was Pilot-Maj. Miroslaw Hermaszewski for his space flight in 1978. For that reason the original items are not present on market.

Meritorious Military Pilot of the People's Republic of Poland

(Zasluzony Pilot Wojskowy Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

Instituted by act of Parliament of July 20, 1978. Conferred to military pilots for acts of bravery while participating in an aerial flight, or for long and outstanding service. It roughly corresponds to the American Distinguished Flying Cross. If the title were conferred for outstanding service its holder must have completed at least 12 years of service as 1st class pilot. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest. The title, awarded until 1992, was replaced by the Meritorious Military Pilot Decoration in 1999.

Badge: a star, 43 mm of diameter, of five sets of plain silver rays alternately with five five sets of finer silver rays. The round medallion depicts a white and red chessboard - the symbol of the Polish Air Force on light blue background, with a small silver non-crowned eagle superimposed on it. The whole is surrounded by a white enameled ring, bearing the inscription ZASLUZONY PILOT WOJSKOWY : PRL. The reverse is plain with a screw for mounting.