The Cuban Order of Military Merit (Spanish: Orden Mérito Militar) was an order of merit awarded by the Republic of Cuba for military deeds. It was awarded in six categories, which were differentiated by the colours of their ribbon and enamel, similar to its inspiration, the Spanish Order of Military Merit. After the Victory of the Cuban Revolution, the Order was suppressed by Law No. 13.
History The order was founded on February 27, 1912, by Presidential Decree number 196, promulgated by President José Miguel Gómez, it was intended to reward officers and NCOs of the Cuban Army and its allies, notably the US Army for a variety of services to the Cuban Republic. It was subdivided into four classes: first class for General Officers, which was a breast star in gold, second class for Senior Officers, which was a silver breast star otherwise identical to 1st class, third class for Junior Officers which was a richly enamelled chest medal constructed of several parts, examples of 3rd class awards where the cross was gilded instead of enamelled also exist, and fourth class for NCOs, which was much more sparsely adorned and constructed out of a single piece, with less detailed oak leaves surrounding the cross.
Notable Recipients Valery Harvard Eloy G. Ureta Charles Summerall Jean de Lattre de Tassigny George C. Marshall Malin Craig Leon Kromer John B. Coulter Fulgencio Batista
Categories Categories are unlisted.Military categories in Cuba Award Award criteriaFor Good ConductFor Conspicuous Service For Other Services deemed meritoriousFor Special Services deemed meritoriousFor Military MeritFor Humanitarian Acts
See also Orders, decorations, and medals of Cuba Order of Naval Merit (Cuba)
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