Medal
27 June marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Lithuanian Rifle Association. On this occasion, we present the “Rifleman’s Star Medal” in the Interesting Exhibit section.
The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, operating as a paramilitary social organisation, united thousands of determined and persistent personalities, driven by Riflemen’s principles and ideas. Among all of them, individual shooters, devoted solely to the work of the Union and the Fatherland, often stood out. In order to reward noble and honourable deeds, the Central Board of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union raised the need to create a special award. One of the first intentions appeared as early as 1927, when the magazine “Trumpet” published by the Riflemen’s Union carried the headline: “The Order of the Riflemen is being prepared”. The idea of a Riflemen’s award, however, required a great deal of concentration: the appearance of the award had to be decided, the design of the award had to be entrusted to someone, who would be awarded it and for what merits, and so on. A version of the Rifleman’s Star project officially appeared in the 1930s in the Government News. The Law on Orders, Medals and Other Insignia of the State of Lithuania, published here, also singled out the Statute of the Riflemen’s Star. It stipulates that the Riflemen’s Star consists of three triangles connected by a Knight surrounded by rays bearing the Riflemen’s emblem. The crosses contain a rifle and an ancient Lithuanian trumpet. On the other side of the star are the inscription ‘For Merit’, the initials of the Riflemen’s Union and the year of the founding of the Riflemen’s Union and the star – ‘1919-1930’. The star is made of white metal. The Statute stipulated that the Riflemen’s Star could be awarded to Riflemen who had held positions of responsibility and had distinguished themselves by organisational work or to Riflemen who had distinguished themselves by honest, diligent and persevering work.
As the 20th anniversary of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union was approaching, it was necessary to create an updated model of the award marking the anniversary year. This is how the idea of the Riflemen’s Star Medal was born. The sculptor Petras Rimša was entrusted with the design of the medal. It was decided to replace the white metal Riflemen’s Star with a bronze medal, with a shield with a cross of the whip on the front, an owl with a book under the shield, and crossed rifles. On the other side of the Riflemen’s Star medal is a laurel wreath and the text: ‘1919-1939 / Work and watch in honour of Lithuania’. The ribbon is of green moire, 32 mm wide, with two 4 mm white stripes on the edges. The newly created award was regulated by an amendment to the Law on Lithuanian State Orders, Medals and Other Insignia of Distinction. It not only describes the appearance of the medal, but also provides for special requirements. The Rifleman’s Star medal, like the Rifleman’s Star, can only be awarded to officers of the Riflemen’s Union and other Riflemen who have shown integrity, diligence and perseverance in their duties. 1939 m.
The issues of “Trimit” are quite active in recording the recipients of the Rifleman’s Star Medal. Among them are sports shooters, honorary members of the Riflemen’s Union, former chairmen, members of the council, the leader of the women’s riflemen Sofija Putvinskaitė-Marcinkeviciene and the council, former editors of “Trimit”, as well as shooters from smaller squads.
Information prepared by Karolina Jociūtė, Curator of Museum Activities at the Lithuanian Museum of Education.
