Unusual recipients of awards

[dragos03]

Probably the most unusual recipinent of the Michael the Brave order:

(photo from "Ordinul militar de război Mihai Viteazul" by E. Ichim)


Protosinghel (rank in the Romanian Orthodox Church, equivalent with the army rank of lieutenant) Justin Serbanescu from the 21st Infantry Regiment was awarded the 3rd Class by Royal Decree No. 1561/25 June 1918:

"For the bravery he showed on the battlefield in 1916. Besides his regular duties as the confessor of the regiment, he also took part in all the attacks, leading the troops with the Holy Cross in his hand. In the battle of Predeal, after seeing that almost all the officers of the regiment were killed and the commander was severely wounded, he took command of the regiment and led it in a counterattack on the German positions. After 24 hours of heavy fighting, the enemy was pushed back all the way to Mount Susai and the town of Azuga was saved. He continued to command a battallion in the battle for Mount Diham and he was wounded in action twice on 17 November 1916. He refused to be evacuated and stayed on the battlefield with the brave soldiers under his command."

Do you know other cases of unusual award recipients?

[Carol I]

Maybe one should count here the three medical officers awarded the Order of Michael the Brave in WWI: Lt. Romulus Popescu, 2nd Lt. Mircea Bruteanu and Lt. Constantin Pop.

[dragos03]

Three US astronauts from the Appolo 12 mission (Charles Conrad, Richard Gordon and Alan Bean) received the Order "Meritul Stiintific" ("Science Merit Order") 1st Class in 1970.