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IMO, I don't think you should wikilink the countries next to the link to the award pages. I can't imagine people, reading one of the articles, would want to then jump directly into a general article about one of the listed countries. I think there is such a thing as overlinking. --rogerd 01:56, 5 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
They might, although i do severely doubt it. I think the links do seve a useful purpose, if they want to then they can. With article such as Nazi Germany and South Vietnam it would be a valid assumption that someone might want to learn more about them. We could link it to all of the Military of X articles? thoughts? Woodym555 19:46, 5 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps, although it still seems a little like overlinking to me, IMO. I am not sure all of the countries in the template have "Military or X" articles. Frankly, I am certain that the few wanting to go there would still be just two clicks away from that target, and it would clean up and simplify the template. I admit this is my opinion, and I am willing to cede the point if others disagree. --rogerd 19:59, 5 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Keeping into consideration Wikipedia:Manual of Style (links) and Wikipedia:Only make links that are relevant to the context I do think that the links are possibly not relevant in this article. They don't provide any context. The only specific guideline was Should prbably be linked: Geographic place names, since many places have similar names, and many readers may be from a distant place. Link to the most specific available article," I do think that this guideline though, was designed for small towns and cities as opposed to countries. The medal being awarded is specific to that country and it provides context to that.
Whether to link is very subjective. At the moment i am decidely neutral, i linked it originally to provide context and background although in reality how much background can be gained from a country's article. I do think though that obsolete decorations should maintain the links as most of the countries are themselves obsolete. If anybody really doesn't like the countries being wikilinked then i think they should change it. Woodym555 21:01, 5 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It doesn't really strike me as a big deal either way; I think the added links are useful, but they are going to increase the visual density of the template. The best option would be to link to award-specific pages (e.g. something like Awards and decorations of the United States military), but those don't (yet) exist for most countries. Kirill 19:42, 7 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
George cross
Why is the george cross not here, it is the UK's highest award for gallentry that can be made to civilans and service men who actions are not carried out under enamy fire?Slatersteven (talk) 17:42, 6 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Italy
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) is not the highest award for gallantry. The statutes of the order clearly say that its purpose is to award "long and meritorous military service" [1](in Italian), not gallantry as such. On the other hand, the Gold Medal of Military Valor (Medaglia d'oro al Valor Militare) is awarded for "acts of military heroism -- performed courageously -- at the risk of life".[2](in Italian) The Gold Medal of Military Valor is even higher in the Italian order of precedence than the highest class of the Order of Merit [3](in English). For these reasons I have substituted the Medal of Valor for the Order of Merit. --Pxos (talk) 08:18, 18 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
