Instituted on May 3, 1946,[1] it was awarded in recognition of the individual courage shown in resistance against the enemies of the Netherlands and for the maintenance of liberties.

Before the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London had developed a valid and balanced system of decorations, both civil and military.

But there was no valid award to reward members of resistance organizations, while neighboring countries had already filled this gap.

As it was not agreed that the acts of the Resistance could be rewarded with an existing military decoration, it was decided to create a specific one.

[1] It has been granted 95 times, 93 of them to deceased resistance workers (85 Dutch, 7 French, 2 Belgians and 1 to the Monument to the Jews killed during the Holocaust).