Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria

Order of Merit of the Austrian Republic

Grand Star and Sash of the Order
Awarded by  Austria
Type State decoration
with 15 Grades
Awarded for Meritorious service
to the Austrian nation
Description National Order of Merit
Statistics
Established 2 April 1952
Precedence
Next (higher) None
Next (lower) Austrian Decoration for Science and the Arts

Ribbon of the Order

The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria or Order of Merit of the Austrian Republic (German: Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) is a national honour awarded by the Republic of Austria.

The Order comprises 15 grades and is Austria's highest national honour.

History

The "Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria" was established by the National Council in 1952.[1] It is conferred by the Republic of Austria to honour people (from Austria and abroad) who have rendered meritorious services to the country. Recipients are selected by the government, the awards are made by the President in accordance with the respective laws.[1] The President of Austria automatically receives the "Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria" by being elected to the office and holds this honour for life. The decoration should not be confused with other decorations in the Austrian honours system such as the "Austrian Decoration for Science and Art".

Classes

The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria is divided into the 15 classes as follows:

  1. Grand Star (Groß-Stern).[2]
  2. Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash (Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande).[2]
  3. Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Sash (Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen am Bande).[2]
  4. Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star (Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern).[2]
  5. Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star (Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern).[2]
  6. Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold (Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen).[2]
  7. Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver (Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen).[2]
  8. Grand Decoration of Honour (Großes Ehrenzeichen).[2]
  9. Decoration of Honour in Gold (Goldenes Ehrenzeichen).[3]
  10. Decoration of Honour in Silver (Silbernes Ehrenzeichen).[3]
  11. Decoration of Merit in Gold (Goldenes Verdienstzeichen).[3]
  12. Decoration of Merit in Silver (Silbernes Verdienstzeichen).[3]
  13. Gold Medal (Goldene Medaille).[3]
  14. Silver Medal (Silberne Medaille).[3]
  15. Bronze Medal (Bronzene Medaille), which is no longer awarded.[3]

The "Gold Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria" may also be conferred as "Gold Medal with Red Riband" awarded for bravery and lifesaving.[3]

Classes of the decoration
The five higher classes with Breast Star. 
The seven lower classes of the Decoration. 
Three Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze. 

Notable recipients

See also List of Austrian Honours awarded to Heads of State and Royals

Below a list with names of all Grand Star recipients and other notable recipients, in chronological order with the year of award in brackets:

Grand Star recipients

Royal Houses

Politicians

Other select recipients

Notes

References

External links

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