Military Merit Order (Bavaria)


The Bavarian Military Merit Order was established on 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It was the kingdom's main decoration for bravery and military merit for officers and higher-ranking officials. Civilians acting in support of the army were also made eligible for the decoration. The Military Merit Order ranked below the Military Order of Max Joseph, which was Bavaria's highest military honor for officers.

Description and Wear

The design of the order was a Maltese cross of blue enamel with a center medallion. Between the arms of most classes were golden flames. The obverse of the center medallion had a gold crowned "L" cipher on the black-enameled center and the word "MERENTI" on a ring of white enamel edged in gold. The reverse had a gold Bavarian lion on black enamel with the date of founding, "1866", on the white-enameled ring. Most of the various classes of the order were of different sizes and worn differently, as sash badges over the shoulder, as neck badges, or as breast badges suspended from a ribbon. The Officer's Cross was a pinback cross worn on the lower left chest, as were the breast stars associated with various classes.

Classes

By World War I, the order had evolved into the following classes:
  • Grand Cross - Cross worn from a sash with a breast star
  • 1st Class - Smaller cross worn from a sash with a breast star
  • 2nd Class - Smaller cross worn from a ribbon around the neck
  • Officer's Cross - Pinback cross worn on the lower left chest; the cross had an elongated lower arm.
  • 3rd Class - Smaller cross worn from a ribbon on the upper left chest.
  • 4th Class - Same cross as the 3rd Class, except with silver flames and, where applicable, crown and swords
The order could be awarded with or without swords. The Grand Cross and 1st Class always came with a breast star, but the 2nd Class could be awarded with or without the breast star. The 3rd and 4th Classes could be awarded with or without a crown. Generally, these distinctions were based on rank, but in certain cases were used to permit a second award for further acts of bravery or military merit. During World War I, the order was typically awarded as follows:
  • Grand Cross with Swords - Field marshals, colonel generals, generals
  • 1st Class with Swords - Generals, some lieutenant generals
  • 2nd Class with Star and with Swords - Lieutenant generals, major generals who already had the 2nd Class with Swords
  • 2nd Class with Swords - Major generals
  • Officer's Cross with Swords - Colonels, some lieutenant colonels
  • 3rd Class with Crown and Swords - Colonels, lieutenant colonels
  • 3rd Class with Swords - Lieutenant colonels, majors
  • 4th Class with Crown and Swords - Majors, captains who already had the 4th Class with Swords
  • 4th Class with Swords - Captains, lieutenants
In addition, there was an associated Military Merit Cross, which was open to non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers.

Notable recipients