Chief of the General Staff Wiesław Kukuła was decorated this week with the National Order of the Legion of Honour. Among those who have received this highest French distinction in the past are General Dwight Eisenhower, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki.
General Kukuła in Distinguished Company
During a ceremony at the French Embassy in Warsaw, held on August 15, General Wiesław Kukuła received the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur). This is France’s highest national decoration, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is awarded for outstanding military and civilian achievements, both to French citizens and to foreigners.
The order is divided into five classes: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), and Grand Croix (Grand Cross). Receiving the Legion of Honour is one of the greatest distinctions the French state can bestow.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces was awarded the order of the third class. In practice, this rank is reserved for individuals of international significance or those with long-standing, distinguished service.
Among the Commanders of the Legion of Honour are, among others, General Dwight Eisenhower and writer Mario Vargas Llosa. The order of this class was also awarded to scientist Maria Skłodowska-Curie and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki. Marshal Józef Piłsudski, meanwhile, was decorated with the Legion of Honour’s highest degree—the Grand Cross.