The Four Days Medal in short

The "Vierdaagsekruis" (Four Days Medal) is for many a coveted and, once earned, a cherished possession. It is shown to friends and relations, often given a place of honour in the home. The medal is the "cross for proven marching ability", as formulated in the Order-in-Council of October 1909.
After the event, the Four Days Marches participant usually accepts his or her medal whithout realizing that their efforts have earned them a royally approved decoration which Dutch servicemen may wear on their uniform.
The Four Days Medal is one of The Netherlands' official decorations. There is also a "code" for wearing the medal. The cross is to be pinned on the left front of a jacket or blouse/shirt, roughly a handsbreadth under the shoulder. Also only one medal may be worn at once and there may not be more than one number pinned on the ribbon.

The history of the Four Days Medal

By suggestion of the then War Secretary W. Cool, Queen Wilhelmina granted that the five-armedcross of the Royal Dutch Walking Association could be worn in service by militairies from the Weapon of Infantery (below the rank of officer).
Up until 1928 the ministerial grant for militaries and officers was yearly given as juridical foundation to wear the cross on the uniform either on or off duty.
By Royal decision of 21 November 1928, nr. 68, it was definitely arranged that staff of the Army could wear the cross. For staff of the Navy, such an arrangement was already made by the Royal Decision of 21 June 1919, nr. 20. The nice thing about this Royal Decision is that wearing instructions of this type of cross are included.
The Royal Airforce was formed by the Weapon of Military Airforce from the Royal Airforce in 1953. This organisation had the same facilities at its disposal, so a seperate Royal Decision needed not to be made.