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"From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your nobleness, self-sacrifice and courage. Let the gratitude of the saved people be always tied to your names and Lithuania in the eyes of the world remain a country of people who do and will do everything to prevent the repetition of any genocide never and nowhere," the president said.

According to the President's Office, the majority of people were awarded posthumously. The awards were presented to their relatives.

The Lithuanian presidents stressed that nothing is more important than keeping the memory of noble, brave and honorable deeds and to hand down from generation to generation the ideals of humanity, sensibility and love.

People who saved Jews despite the deadly threat to themselves or their families are awarded with Life Saving Crosses every year when Lithuania marks the Jewish Genocide Day.

Around 200,000 Jews were killed in Lithuanian during the Nazi occupation in 1941-1944.