|
The Military Merit Cross (Spanish: Cruz del Mérito Militar) was founded on August 3, 1864 as a military order of merit (Spanish: Orden del Mérito Militar) by Queen Isabella II of Spain and is intended to honor officers who have distinguished themselves in the Spanish Army through special services highlighted. The order was intended to partially replace the Order of Saint Ferdinand, Charles III. and Isabella the Catholic occur if the person to be honored has already received one of these orders for military merit. In 1995 the award received its current name.
Order classes
1st class, distintivo blanco, the lowest level, in the 1868 version.
Cruz with the highest level of distinctive red, in the 1941 version with a 1943 Russian clasp.
The Order of Merit was established in four classes:
IV. Class (Grand Cross) for officers who have already received the III. hold class.
III. Class for brigade commanders, lieutenant generals and captains general,
II. Class for staff officers,
I. Class for cadets, lieutenants and captains
The Cross of Merit is now only awarded in two classes (Grand Cross and Cross) and in four levels of award (Spanish distintivos, red, white, blue and yellow).
The Military Merit Cross with Red Award (con distintivo rojo) is awarded for courage, actions, or service during armed conflict or military operations that involve or may involve the use of armed force and require significant military or leadership skills. Since 2007, it can also be awarded for heroic actions during a foreign mission and for soldiers who died during such a mission.
The Blue Award (con distintivo azul) is awarded for actions, events or exceptional achievements, including operations under a UN mandate or other international organizations.
The yellow award (con distintivo amarillo) is awarded for actions, deeds or services that involve a high level of personal risk, as well as in cases of serious injury or death as a result of such actions or services.
The white award (con distintivo blanco) is awarded for acts, deeds or outstanding service in missions or ordinary or extraordinary service in the armed forces or in connection with the defense of the country.
Order decoration
The medal's symbol is an enameled cross with a gold border. For awards for war services, the cross is in red enamel, otherwise in white for services in peacetime. In the middle is a gold-edged round medallion that shows the coat of arms of Spain on the obverse and the initials of the donor I R (Isabella Regina) on the reverse. Above the cross lies the golden royal crown on a golden rectangle that is attached to the upper cross arm. The award day and the merit are inserted into this square. This form described is intended for the first grade. For the second class, the cross is placed on a silver star with eight brilliant rays. In addition, a golden lily is attached to each corner of the cross. The III. Class has a larger star and the rays are golden. The Grand Cross bearers wore the cross of the 1st class on their sash and the award form of the 3rd class on their chest. Class, with the rectangle under the crown being in silver.
|
