Military Merit Medal (Austria-Hungary)
The Military Merit Medal was a high military award in Austria - Hungary. In peacetime it was granted for the expression of "the Most High satisfaction " for excellent services on " Most High resolution ". According to the inscription on the back as well as Signum Laudis (from the Latin "sign of praise ").
History
The Military Merit Medal was " donated persons whom the Most High belobende recognition for outstanding achievements in war " on March 12, 1890 by the Austro-Hungarian monarch Franz Joseph I as visible Award was bestowed the emperor. This Honour replaced the former only written " Most High belobende recognition" of the sovereign.
On March 26, 1911, the Military Merit Medal was introduced in Silver for " renewed highest belobende recognition" of the emperor. At the same clips were created on the volume of coin for multiple awards of the same level.
On April 1, 1916, the Large Military Merit Medal was introduced, which was slightly larger than the remaining stages and is made of gold. It was awarded as "special and highest recognition" from the Emperor to only 30 people. Of these, 28 were in the rank of general, the other two were 1916 Naval Air Battleship Lieutenant Gottfried Banfield ( 1890-1986 ) and 1918 of the encryption expert Lieutenant Colonel Hermann Pokorny ( 1882-1960 ).
On December 13, 1916 also clasps were introduced as an additive for the multiple awarding medals for all levels. This was then identified by attaching a and a second clasp on the ribbon.
Appearance
The medal is attached to the imperial crown and is made of gilded bronze. It shows on the front of the profile of Emperor Franz Joseph I., and on the back enclosing a laurel and oak wreath the inscription " Signum Laudis ". Medals were awarded from April 1917 showed the head of the Emperor Charles, the successor Franz Joseph.
The medal was worn by military personnel on the band of the Austrian Military Merit Cross and of other Beliehenen that did not belong to the military, the crimson silk ribbon. If the medal earned in battle, this was indicated by crossed swords on the ribbon.