The first recipient (posthumous) was General Stefan Grot–Rowecki. The award was supported by the Polish government in exile in London and was not recognized by the People's Republic of Poland, which viewed members of mostly anti-communist Armia Krajowa as enemies of the state. After the fall of communism, in 1992 it was recognized by the government of Poland and was awarded by the president of Poland until 8 May 1999.