Serbia, Kingdom. The Orders & Awards of Divisional General Živan G. Mitrović

Serbia, Kingdom. An Order of the White Eagle, III Class with Swords (neck badge) , by Arthus Bertrand; (Orden Belog Orla). Instituted in 1883. Type II (1903-1941 Issue). Model II with swords. In silver gilt, a double headed eagle in white enamel, obverse centre bears the royal cipher, reverse center with the date 1882, crossed swords across the pendilia denoting military division, measures 88.5 mm (h - inclusive of its sword and crown suspension) x 40 mm (w), evidence of chipping on blue enamel, with a very thin red neck ribbons as worn by the General, in overall very fine condition. Housed in its original case from French maker, Arthus Bertrand, the exterior denoting III class with swords, the interior with a medal bed and makers mark in the lid, light wear, functional hinge and clasp, in very fine condition. Footnote: The Order was instituted 23 January 1883 by King Milan I of Serbia. It was awarded for special achievements in service of the Serbian nation, state, or Crown, and was available in 5 classes. The War Merit Division of the Order, with crossed swords between the Royal Crown and eagle's heads, was introduced in 1915 and conferred for conspicuous bravery of the officers in the field. In the period between 1883 and 1898 Order of the White Eagle was the highest award in the Kingdom of Serbia.

France, III Republic. A National Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer’s Cross in 18Kt. Gold; (Republique Francaise). Instituted in 1802. In Gold, with white, blue, and green enamels, five-pointed star surrounded by laurel wreath, each of the arms finished with two finials, obverse centre shows profile of Marianne facing right with inscription “République Française 1870”, reverse centrepiece shows flag of France surrounded by blue-enamelled ring with the inscription “Honneur et Patrie”, marked with eagle's head denoting Gold composition and Paris manufacture between 1870-1919,  partial makers mark on the suspension in the knee of the 12 o'clock arm, measures 58.1  mm (h - inclusive of green-enamelled laurel wreath) x 40.3 mm (w), original red ribbon with rosette, intact enamels, very fine condition. Housed in the original case from French Maker, Louis Aucoc, evidence of wear, hinge missing screws, bed and lid loose, clasp not functional, fine condition. 

Footnote: The award was instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest French order of merit and is awarded for eminent service to the nation, civilian or military, in five grades: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. 

Romania, Kingdom. An Order of Michael the Brave, III Class Knight with Miniature Pin; Instituted in 1916. Type I. (1916 - 1919 Issue). In silver gilt, cross in blue enamel, obverse centre bears the inscription of Ferdinand I, reverse bears the date 1916, evidence of blue enamel chipping on obverse and reverse, measures 55.2 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension) x 40 mm (w), fine condition. Housed in a hardshell case, evidence of wear on cover, fine condition. Accompanied by a stickpin, in silver gilt and blue enamels, measures 18.8 mm (w) x 78.7 mm (h - crown suspension to tip of pin), chipping to enamel, in near very fine condition. General Mitrovic was officially entitled to this award.

Footnote: The Order of Michael the Brave is Romania’s highest military decoration, instituted on 26 September 1916 by King Ferdinand I. It was awarded to officers only for exceptional deeds on the battlefield. It is the highest ranking Romanian military order.

Serbia, Kingdom. An Order of the Star of Karageorge, IV Class Officer with Swords, with Award Document; Instituted in 1904. In silver gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, white enamel cross with rays between the arms, on crossed swords, obverse centre shows Imperial eagle, reverse shows royal arms of Serbia, measures 57.8 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension) x 36.8 mm (w), missing ribbon, evidence of chipping on obverse and reverse centerpiece enamel ring, very fine condition. Official document included in small red folder, verifying the recipient of the medal, Živan G. Mitrović, with a photograph and signature, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of the Star of Karageorge was established on 1 January 1904 by King Peter I. It was awarded to Serbian nationals for exceptional merit rendered to the King, State and Nation, for civilian or military service. In 1906 foreign nationals were also declared eligible. On 20 October 1912, King Peter established a variant of the order ‘with swords’, coinciding with the declaration of war on Ottoman Turkey by the alliance of Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Bulgaria, to be awarded for acts of bravery and distinguished military service in wartime. This rare order was made by G.A. Scheid of Vienna and later by Arthus Bertrand of Paris and Huguenin Frères of Le Locle, Switzerland and finally in Serbia by Sorlini of Varaždin. 

A Serbian Medal Bar Belonging to Živan G. Mitrović, includes: 

1. Czechoslovak War Cross 1918. Bronze finish, obverse shows symbols of Bohemia, Slovakia, Moravia, and Silesia, reverse shows linden leaves and inscription CS, in very fine condition.

2. Serbian Medal for Bravery, gold grade. In bronze gilt, obverse shows legendary Serbian knight, Miloš Obilić, light wear, very fine. 

3. Serbian Medal for Bravery, silver grade. In silver, obverse shows legendary Serbian knight, Miloš Obilić, gilt wear and tarnishing, near very fine. 

4. Serbian Medal for Military Virtue. In bronze gilt, obverse shows the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. 

5. Commemorative Medal for Loyalty to Fatherland. In bronze and bronze gilt, in very fine condition. 

6. Commemorative Medal for Election of King Peter I. In bronze gilt, light wear, in very fine condition. 

7. Commemorative Medal for Serbo Turkish War 1912. In bronze gilt, very fine. 

8. Commemorative Cross for Serbo Bulgarian War 1913. In bronze gilt, very fine. 

9. A Romanian Commemorative Cross for the War 1916-1918 with DOBROGEA clasp. In bronze, very fine. 

10. Commemorative Medal for Great War 1914-1918. In bronze, very fine condition. 

 The medal bar features a swing pin on the reverse, measures 24.5 cm across, presenting 15 ribbons in total, missing 6 decorations but in fine condition. Missing decorations (including three Imperial Russian awards) probably sold for gold value or given to the State for the War effort during WWII).

Footnote: Divisional General Mitrović, G. Živan (Pozarevac 10.1.1875, Belgrade, 25.6.1943). Cadet 25.cl. lower and 6th higher Army Academy. From 1.4. 1901 - 1.4.1920, in France. On duties: from 1902 to 20.1.1903 class elder at Army Academy; from 25.2.1903 -1905 commander of 4.c/2.bn./18.Infantry Division; 1903 member of the commission for the reception of ammunition in Vienna and Pozun; from 11.4.1905 commander of 2.c/3.bn/8 Infantry Division; from 24 March 1907 - 1913 commander of the 1st bn/9 Infantry Division; 1910 member of the commission for receiving ammunition in Belgium. In 1913, he was the commander of the personnel Division in Stip, and from April 1914 in Ohrid (Macedonia). In the Wars of 1912-1913; commander of the 3rd bn/8.pp and bn/16. Infantry Division. In the 1914-1918 war: from 7. 1914 to 1916, commander of the 16. Infantry Division; 1916 Commander of the 3d. Voluntary Infantry Division in Russia; from 25.8. 1916 representative of the commander of the 2nd volunteer brigade; from 5.4. 1918 - 14.3. 1919 commander of the 1st brigade of the Yugoslav Division.
General Mitrović was active after the Great War, among others: from 15.9. 1921, commander of the Osijek Divisional area; from 23.12. 1924, assistant commander of the 5th Army Region; from 4.3. 1925, on the Staff of the 1st Army Region. General Mitrović retired in 1931.

дивизијски генерал Митровић Г. Живан (Пожаревац 10.1.1875, Београд, 25.6.1943). Кадет 25.кл. нижа и 6. виша армијска академија. Од 1.4. 1901 - 1.4.1920, у Француској. На дужности: од 1902. до 20.1.1903. разредни старешина на Војној академији; од 25.2.1903 -1905 командант 4.ц/2.бн./18.пешадијске дивизије; 1903. члан комисије за пријем муниције у Бечу и Пожуну; од 11.4.1905 командант 2.ц/3.бн/8 пешадијске дивизије; од 24. марта 1907. - 1913. командант 1. бн/9 пешадијске дивизије; 1910. члан комисије за пријем муниције у Белгији. Године 1913. био је командант кадровске дивизије у Штипу, а од априла 1914. у Охриду (Македонија). У ратовима 1912-1913; командант 3. бн/8.пп и бн/16. пешадијске дивизије. У рату 1914-1918: од 7. 1914. до 1916. командант 16. пешадијске дивизије; 1916. командант 3д. добровољачка пешадијска дивизија у Русији; од 25.8. 1916. представник команданта 2. добровољачке бригаде; од 5.4. 1918 - 14.3. 1919. командант 1. бригаде Југословенске дивизије.
Генерал Митровић је био активан после Великог рата, између осталих: од 15.9. 1921, командант Осјечке дивизијске области; од 23.12. 1924, помоћник команданта 5. армијске области; од 4.3. 1925, о штабу И армијске области. Генерал Митровић је пензионисан 1931. године.