Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral, the Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast was awarded the Gold Bundeswehr Cross of Honour. The ceremony took place on December 17th, 2008 in Berlin.
On behalf of the Federal Minister of Defence Dr Franz Josef Jung, Lieutenant General Hans Otto Budde, Chief of the German Army, awarded the MNC NE Commander Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral the Gold Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for the outstanding services rendered to the Bundeswehr. The ceremony took place in the presence of several German officers, a member of the Bundestag Mr Essen, MNC NE Chief of Staff Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs as well as the Polish Defence Attaché to Germany Colonel Andrzej Sobczyński and his deputy.
In this way General Goral’s exceptional contribution to the development of cooperation with the German Bundeswehr was highly appreciated. "It is the highest military decoration the German Minister of Defence can give, therefore, it is a very significant and satisfying award to me", says General Goral indicating the importance of the medal. "My contribution to the development of cooperation between the Polish and German Armed Forces has been noticed and assessed as valuable by the German Ministry of Defence", he added. In a special letter justifying the awarding of the medal, General Goral’s commanding skills were emphasized as well as developing mutual relations with the German 13th Mechanized Infantry Division. His multinational farsightedness and openness were underlined, similarly to acting for the benefit of the German Army, for example, when he supported the German Joint Fires Project during the exercise Crystal Eagle 2008. As the Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast, he presents strongly developed capability for integration, the result of which is the fact that soldiers of all ranks and careers from ten nations have been forged into an efficient and highly motivated whole.
General Goral’s cooperation with the German Bundeswehr and developing mutual relations started already in 1998 when General Goral was the Commander of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division, which cooperated with the German 13th Division in Leipzig. This cooperation was continued and enhanced while he was performing his duties on both national and NATO posts, for example, when General Goral became the Deputy Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast. At that time he was closely staying in touch with the German 14th Division. Excellent relations with German generals and officers were also strengthened during his service at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe SHAPE in Europe and the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Turkey. "There were German generals and officers anywhere I served and I have always tried to cooperate with them effectively. In fact, we have always spoken the same language and understood each other perfectly", emphasized General Goral.
The Gold Bundeswehr Cross of Honour is the highest military reward a soldier can receive from the German Minister of Defence. The cases when foreign soldiers receive it are rather seldom, which makes the decoration unique and exceptional.
