The ''Ordre du Mérite combattant'' (Order of Merit for Veterans) was a ministerial

order of merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...

of France created on 14 September 1953 to reward individuals who distinguished themselves by their service and dedication in the management of the moral and material interests of veterans and war victims. These individuals' applicable service could be working in the Ministry of Veterans and War Victims or for organizations and associations who work for veterans. The order was administered and awarded the Ministry of Veterans and War Victims. The Order was deprecated by decree on 3 December 1963, and superseded by the

Ordre national du Mérite The Ordre national du Mérite (; en, National Order of Merit) is a French order of merit with membership awarded by the President of the French Republic, founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. The reason for the order's esta ...

. Extant members may continue to display and wear their decorations.

Classes

The Order has three classes: *''Chevalier'' (Knight), up to 150 awarded annually. Recipients must be at least 40 years old and have completed 15 years of qualifying service. *''Officier'' (Officer), up to 100 awarded annually. To be eligible for promotion to officer, individuals must have already been knights of the order for at least six years. *''Commandeur'' (Commander), up to 10 awarded annually. To be eligible for promotion to commander, recipients must have been officers of the order for at least four years.

Appearance

The cross of the ''Ordre du Mérite combattant'' is a five armed cross. At the center of the cross is a ten-pointed star. The five longest points of the star are enameled in green. The five shorter arms of the star point in between the arms of the cross. In the center of the star is

Marianne Marianne () has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed i ...

surrounded by the words ''RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE'' and ''MÉRITE COMBATTANT''. On the reverse of the cross are two clasped hands in front of a sword. Around the edge are the words ''HONNEUR'' and ''DÉVOUEMENT''. The cross for knights is silver and in diameter and worn suspended from the chest. For officers, the cross is the same size but is

silver-gilt Silver-gilt or gilded/gilt silver, sometimes known in American English by the French term vermeil, is silver (either pure or sterling) which has been gilded with gold. Most large objects made in goldsmithing that appear to be gold are actually ...

and the suspension ribbon bears a rosette. For commanders the star is also gilt but in diameter and worn suspended from the neck. The ribbon of the order is in diameter wide in green with wide diagonal yellow rays spaced apart.

References

External links

* Mérite combattant Mérite combattant Awards established in 1953 1953 establishments in France 1963 disestablishments in France Orders of merit {{French medals