The Patriotic Order of Merit (German: Vaterländischer Verdienstorden, or VVO) was a national award granted annually in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was founded in 1954 and was awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions to the state and society in various areas of life.
Classes Honor clasp, in Gold Gold, 1st class Silver, 2nd class Bronze, 3rd class
The award
The official language for the award stipulated it was given "for outstanding merit": "in the struggle of the German and international labor movement and in the fight against fascism," "in the establishment, consolidation and fortification of the German Democratic Republic," "in the fight to secure peace and advance the international influence of the German Democratic Republic".Auszeichnungen in der DDR Die DDR in WWW. Retrieved December 3, 2011
The order was awarded in bronze, silver, gold and gold honor clasp () (for exceptional merit). Each level was only awarded once and with the exception of the recipient of the honor clasp, all recipients received a sum of money.
Notable recipients Vasily Chuikov, Marshal of the Soviet Union Berta Daniel Vinzent Porombka, 1955 Paula Hertwig, 1956 Jan Petersen, 1958 Klaus Köste, 1972 Katarina Witt, 1984 (Gold) and 1988 (gold honor clasp) Klaus Fuchs
See also Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany
References
External links