Order of Merit (Chile)

The Order of Merit (Spanish: Orden al Mérito) is a Chilean military order and was created in 1929. Succeeding the Medal of the Merit, which was created during the term of the President Germán Riesco through the Minister of War decree No. 1350 on 4 September 1906. This new national distinction was created to recognize the meritorious service provided by foreign military personnel to Chilean officials. The order is only awarded to foreigners.

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Chile)

Order of Merit
(Orden al Mérito)
Awarded by

the President of Chile
TypeOrder of merit
Established1817 (as Legion of Merit)
1906 (as Medal of the Merit)
1929 (as Order of Merit)
EligibilityForeigner citizens
Awarded forCivil actions in benefit of the Republic
StatusCurrent
FounderBernardo O'Higgins (1817)
Germán Riesco (1906)
Carlos Ibáñez del Campo (1929)
PresidentPresident of Chile
ChancellorChilean Foreign Minister
Grades
  • Collar
  • Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Kinght
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Order of Bernardo O'Higgins

History

In 1817, Bernardo O'Higgins created the Legion of Merit, with the aim of recognizing the ones who have provided help to Chile, specially during its independence. In 1823, when O'Higgins fled the country after his abdication, the Legion was extinct.

Nevertheless, in 1906, Germán Riesco created the Medal of the Merit, with the same aim as the current Order: award those who gave civil services to the Republic. The first 200 military medals were minted in gold and silver, giving them the title of First and Second Class. They were minted at the Casa de la Moneda, having a tricolor ribbon. The order had three classes: First, Second, and Third Class; but later a new class was added (Grand Officer) that would be awarded to heads of state.

In 1929, the Medal was renamed as the Order of Merit, and the current regulations where enacted in 2000,[1] being slightly reformed in 2016.[2]

Grades

The President of Chile (currently Sebastián Piñera), is the Gran Master of the Order. The Chancellor is the minister of Foreign Affairs.

  • Collar (Spanish: Collar)
  • Grand Cross (Spanish: Gran Cruz)
  • Grand Officer (Spanish: Gran Oficial)
  • Commander (Spanish: Comendador)
  • Officer (Spanish: Oficial)
  • Knight (Spanish: Caballero)

Order decoration
Insignia
Collar Collar Grade Star Grand Cross Grand Cross Star Grand Officer and Commander
Commander Star Officer's Cross Knight's Cross
  1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile. "Decreto 1817 – Aprueba Reglamento de la Orden "Al Mérito de Chile"". Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile. "Decreto 42 – Modifica decreto supremo n° 1.817, de 2000, que aprueba Reglamento de la Orden "Al Mérito de Chile"". Retrieved 24 September 2020.
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