These two medals, along with the various grades of the Order of the Sword, are the only awards in Sweden that have the designation "Swedish war decorations" (Svenska krigsdekorationer).

By royal letters on 24 March 1807 and 10 June 1809, it was decided that two different decorations be instituted,[3] För tapperhet i fält (abbreviation Mtf) for valour in the field, and För tapperhet till sjöss (Mts) for valour at sea.

It has been argued that some of the Swedish soldiers that have served abroad on international missions should have been awarded the medal.

One example is Furir Torsten Stålnacke who served with the United Nations in the Congo Crisis where he during a firefight got his lower jaw blown away by a bullet, but still managed to drag and carry two of his shocked comrades as well as his Carl Gustav recoilless rifle into safety.

This however is contrary to what had been done in the cases mentioned above, as Sweden was neutral during both the Second Boer War and during Gustav V's reign, when five medals were awarded.