| Order of the Somali Star | |
|---|---|
|
File:Star Order of the Start of Somalia.svg Order of the Leopard variant | |
| Country |
 Somalia |
| Type | Medal for highest degree of distinction |
| Eligibility | Somali and foreign citizens |
| Status | Active |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 12 February 1961 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
The Order of the Somali Star is the highest distinction award for military gallantry in Somalia. The Order of the Somali Star has been awarded to members of the Somali Armed Forces and foreign citizens who have conducted and exhibited great fidelity to the Somali Republic. It has been issued mainly during the Ogaden War to military and police officers posthumously.
History[]
The Order of the Somali Star was established by the Government of Somalia and was named in honour of the Somali flag, a sky blue field emblazoned with a white singular central star, the award was established the year after that Somalia became a republic in 1961 by the founding father and first President of Somalia, Aden Adde. The award can be worn as a necklet, medal or a sash.
Statute[]
The title of Order of the Somali Star can be awarded for military gallantry in the service of Somalia. It can be awarded to both civilian and military personnel. The title can also be awarded posthumously if the heroic act costs the recipient his or her life. It may also be awarded to foreign citizens who display exceptional service to the Somali republic, The President of Somalia is the main conferring authority of the award although the Federal Parliament may nominate individuals for the President's consideration.
Description[]
The award comes in grades with the Order of the Leopard (formerly the Knight of the Grand Cross changed due to the adoption of Islam as the state religion) which gold-plated badge to be worn on the band and gold-plated plate to be worn on the left chest; Grand Officer, silver badge to be worn on a ribbon around the neck and plaque to be worn on the left chest; Commander, silver badge to be worn on a ribbon around the neck; Officer, silver badge to be worn on a ribbon with a rosette on the chest; Knight, silver badge to be worn on a ribbon on the chest.[1]
Recipients[]
The vast majority of recipients of this award are Somali military officers and enlisted soldiers who died in service to Somalia, however there are foreign dignitaries who received this award due to their exceptional service to the Somali state.
Mohamed Siad Barre who was issued the Order in 1979 by the Supreme Revolutionary Council by the Politburo following the 10 year anniversary of the XHKS Revolution.
Individuals[]
Military personnel[]
- Major General Daud Abdulle Hirsi (Army)
- Major General Mohamed Siad Barre (Army)
- Major General Dahir Adan Elmi (Army)
- Lieutenant General Mohamed Ali Samatar (Army)
- Brigadier General Ali Matan Xashi (Air Force)
- Vice Admiral Mohamed Osman (Navy)
- Colonel Abukar Liban (Army)
Foreign dignitaries[]
Fidel Castro - Awarded in 1977, for "extraordinary services to Somalia."[2]
Faisal I - Awarded in light of the brotherly bond between Somalia and Saudi Arabia during his reign.[3]- Anwar Sadat - Provided unconditional support for Somalia during the Ogaden War, also Egypt and Somalia were regular participants of Bright Star war games, Somalia also was one of the few countries to send dignitaries to attend Sadat's state funeral in 1981.
- Muammar Gaddafi - Libya and Somalia had very warm relations under the tenure of Chairman Gaddafi, as both countries were Italophonic, members of the Arab League and OIC and had pan-African viewpoints.
- Haile Selassie I - Awarded the Grand Cordon in 1960, as the first non-Somali recipient by President Aden Adde due to the fraternal relations between Imperial Ethiopia and Somalia.[4][5]
- Jaafar Nimeiry - Sudan and Somalia had very warm relations under the tenure of President Nimeiry,[6] also Nimeiry was a vocal advocate of Barre's chairmanship of the OAU in 1974.
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - Awarded in 2015 for his contributions to Somalia.[7]
- Josip Broz Tito - Awarded in 1976, Somalia and Yugoslavia had a strategic and warm relationship as both were non-Soviet aligned countries yet were both socialist, Somalia also sent dignitaries to Tito's funeral in 1980, this carries forwards onto the modern Serbia–Somalia relations.[8]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ "Order of the Star of Somalia | Militaria Altri Paesi". https://www.mymilitaria.net/liste_05/ordine_stella_somalia_engi.htm.
- ↑ "1977: Granma Archives Index - LANIC". http://lanic.utexas.edu/project/granma/1977.html.
- ↑ Owain Raw-Rees (1998). "King Faisal OF Saudi Arabia, His Awards and the Saudi Order of King Faisal". The Medal Collector. http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/1998/4079_JOMSA_Vol49_4_19.pdf.
- ↑ Copley, Gregory R. (1998). Ethiopia reaches her hand unto god : Imperial Ethiopia's unique symbols, structures and role in the modern world. Alexandria, Va.: Published by Defense & Foreign Affairs, part of the International Strategic Studies Association. ISBN 1-892998-00-9. OCLC 43034089. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43034089.
- ↑ McMeekin, John Duncan. "HAILE SELASSIE 1, The Last Emperor". https://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/diario/haileselassie.pdf.
- ↑ "UPITN 10 5 78 PRESIDENT SADAT MEETS NIMEIRY AND BARRE" (in en). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBLUyFcYs8A.
- ↑ "We have served our Somali brothers as required by our brotherhood; our solidarity will continue". Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey. 25 January 2015. https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/3392/we-have-served-our-somali-brothers-as-required-by-our-brotherhood-our-solidarity-will-continue.
- ↑ Bilo je časno živjeti s Titom. RO Mladost, RO Prosvjeta, Zagreb, February 1981. (pg. 102)
The original article can be found at Order of the Somali Star and the edit history here.