The Order of Aeronautical Merit () is an award of the Brazilian Air Force, established on 1 November 1943 by President Getúlio Vargas. The order is presented in five grades and recognizes distinguished service and exceptional contributions to the Brazilian Air Force.
Grades The order is awarded in the following grades: Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz) Grand Officer (Grande Oficial) Commander (Comendador) Officer (Oficial) Knight (Cavaleiro)
Notable recipients Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff (2006–09), Pakistan Air Force Stéphane Abrial, French Micael Bydén, Sweden Ira C. Eaker, American Dwight D. Eisenhower, American, Grand Cross (August 5, 1946) Yuri Gagarin, Soviet Leonard T. Gerow, American Bruce K. Holloway, American Michael J. Hood, Canadian Jonas H. Ingram, American Jacques Paul Klein, American Curtis LeMay, American Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazilian Donald A. Quarles, American Guido Manini Ríos, Uruguay John Dale Ryan, American Michael E. Ryan, American Henri Sauvan, French
See also
List of aviation awards
References