History

The Klaipeda Liberation Medal was established in commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Klaipeda Uprising. It was instituted by the Supreme Council for the Liberation of Lithuania Minor, and not the Lithuanian state, because the state did not want to seem like it had influenced or instigated the Uprising. Only later was it recognised as a state award.

The Medal was awarded to participants and supporters of the Uprising. The I Class Medal was mainly awarded to leaders of the Uprising, while the II Class Medal was awarded to combatants and other supporters.

There are two versions of the I Class Medal that differ in the reverse engraving. One version features a lighthouse without beams of light, while the other features a lighthouse with beams of light. Both versions feature an obverse inscription that translates to “Supreme Council for the Liberation of Lithuania Minor.”

There may be additional versions that differ in composition.