Orders, decorations, and medals of Chile

Civil orders

Order of Merit

Main article: Order of Merit (Chile)

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The Order of Merit of Chile () was established in 1906, as a successor order to the Legion of Merit, to 'reward outstanding civil service to the Republic of Chile provided by foreign nationals'. The order is governed by the Council of the Order of Merit of Chile. The President of Chile is the Chair of the council. The remaining councilors comprise the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chancellor of the Order), the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Director General Foreign Policy and the Director General Ceremonial and Protocol (Secretary of the Order) while the Deputy Director Protocol serves as the Secretary of the Order. The order consists of five classes: :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Cross BAR.svg|60px]] Collar (), I* Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Cross BAR.svg|60px]] Grand Cross (), I Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Officer BAR.png|60px]] Grand Officer (), II Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Commander BAR.png|60px]] Commander (), III Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Officer BAR.png|60px]] Officer (), IV Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Knight BAR.png|60px]] Knight (), V Class

Order of Bernardo O'Higgins

Main article: Order of Bernardo O'Higgins

The Order of Bernado O'Higgins () was established in 1956 as an extension of the Order of Merit of Chile in order to recognise foreign nationals for their 'outstanding contribution to the arts, sciences, education, industry, trade or social and humanitarian cooperation'. The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is conferred by the Chilean President on the advice of the Minister of Foreign Relations. The order was originally established in two classes: :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Officer BAR.png|60px]] Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, I Class () :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Knight BAR.png|60px]] Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, II Class () In 1967 the order was reorganised into five classes, and after modifications in 1985 and 2006, it acquired the same grades as the Order of Merit: :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Grand Cross BAR.png|60px]] Collar (), I* Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Grand Cross BAR.png|60px]] Grand Cross (), I Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Grand Officer BAR.png|60px]] Grand Officer (), II Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Commander BAR.png|60px]] Commander (), III Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Officer BAR.png|60px]] Officer (), IV Class :* [[File:CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Knight BAR.png|60px]] Knight (), V Class

Gabriela Mistral Order of Educational and Cultural Merit

Main article: Gabriela Mistral Order of Educational and Cultural Merit

The Order of Gabriela Mistral () was established in 1977 and is conferred by the Minister of Education to Chileans and to foreign nationals who have 'made an outstanding contribution benefiting education, culture and the advancement of teaching'. When presented outside of Chile, installation is usually performed at the Chilean embassy, legation or consulate by the highest Chilean representative present or personally by the Minister of Education. The order consists of a single class.

Meritorious Service to the Republic

The decoration for Meritorious Service to the Republic () was established as an order, in 1985, to recognise Chilean citizens for 'services of special importance for the country'. Membership of the Order is conferred by the President of the Republic upon the recommendation of a Council composed of the Ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and the Secretary General of the Presidency. The council is also responsible for the order's registry. The order is established in five classes: :* Grand Star in Gold (), I Class :* Grand Officer (), II Class :* Commander (), III Class :* Silver Star with Golden Laurel (), IV Class :* Knight (), V Class :* Silver Star (), VI Class

Order of Naval Merit

Main article: Order of Naval Merit (Chile)

The Order of Naval Merit () was established in three classes: :* Commander (), I Class :* Officer (), II Class :* Knight (), III Class

Decorations

President of the Republic decoration

The decoration of the President of the Republic () was established as an order in four classes:

:* Grand Cross´s Collar (), I Class :* [[File:Cinta Presidente de la República "Gran Oficial".png|60px]] Grand Officer (), II Class :* Officer (), III Class :* Knight (), IV Class

Decorations for gallantry

Decoration of Valour ()

Medal of Valour ()

Decorations for distinguished service

Victory Cross decoration

The Victory Cross decoration () is established in two grades: :* Grand Victory Cross () :* Victory Cross ()

Decoration of Honour for Distinguished Service ()

:* Grand Star of Honour (Army) () :* Grand Star of Merit (Army) () :* Grand Star (Army) () :* Star (Army) () :* Grand Star of Merit (Air Force) () :* Grand Star (Air Force) () :* Star (Air Force) () :* Grand Star of Merit (Police) () :* Grand Star (Police) () :* Star (Police) ()

Distinguished Service Decoration

The Distinguished Service Decoration () is conferred in separate versions for each of the Army (), Navy (), Air Force () and Police Force (). The decoration is established in three classes: :* I Class () :* II Class () :* III Class ()

Decorations for meritorious service

Cross of Aeronautical Merit

The Cross of Aeronautical Merit () is established in five classes: :* [[File:Order of Aeronautical Merit-Grand Cross-Chile.png|60px]] Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit (), I Class :* Cross of Aeronautical Merit (), II Class :* Distinguished Flying Cross (), III Class :* Distinguished Service Cross (), IV Class :* Bar of Honour (), V Class

Cross of the Army Bicentenary The Cross of the Army Bicentenary () was established by President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera Echenique, in 2010 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Chilean Army (which was established on 2 December 1810). It is conferred by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army to recognise representatives of organisations that have significantly supported the endeavours of the Army. The decoration has been established in two grades: :* Grand Cross of the Army Bicentenary () - the badge of a Grand Cross is worn on a broad scarlet sash hung across the body from the right shoulder. :* Cross of the Army Bicentenary () - this grade uses a neck badge suspended from a scarlet ribbon. Notable recipients of the Grand Cross of the Army Bicentenary include President Piñera Notable Chilean recipients of the Cross of the Army Bicentenary include the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Edmundo Gonzalez, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Air Force General Jorge Rojas Avila, the Director General of the Carabineros, General Manager Gustavo González Jure, and the Director General of Investigations Police, Marcos Antonio Vásquez Meza.

Medal of Diplomatic Merit

The Medal of Diplomatic Merit () was established to recognise selected officials of the foreign service branch of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.

Medal of Functionary Merit

The Medal of Functionary Merit () was established to recognise selected officials (functionaries) of the Management and Professional branches of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.

Military Works Corps Star of Honour and Merit ()

Decorations for long and meritorious Service

Decoration for Great Military Merit of the Chilean Air Force ()

Military Star ()

Medals

Commemorative medals

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Chilean Air Force Commemorative Medal ()

Long service awards

:* 30 Years Service award ()

:* 20 Years Service award ()

:* 10 Years Service award ()

:* 30 Years of Police Service Medal ()

:* 20 Years of Police Service Medal ()

Service school medals

:* Military School of the Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins Gold Medal ()

:* Minerva Medal (Army War College) ()

:* Minerva Medal (Air Force War College) ()

:* General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Police School Medal ()

:* Second Sergeant Daniel Rebolledo Sepúlveda NCO School Medal ()

Service Medal of the Ministry of National Defense ()

Service medals

Service Medal of the Honourable Board of the Government ()

Mission Accomplished ()

18 September Medal () () Mérito Condecoración Ejército Fuerza Aérea Sepúlveda

Obsolete

Legion of Merit

Main article: Legion of Merit of Chile

The Legion of Merit of Chile () was established on 1 June 1817 by the Supreme Director of the newly independent Chile, Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins, to reward civil and military service to the nation and, at the time, was the most senior honour of Chile. The Head of State was established as the head of the Legion. The order was established in four classes: :* Grand Officers of the Legion (), I Class :* Officers of the Legion (), II Class :* Sub-Officers of the Legion (), III Class :* Legionnaires or Members of the Legion (), IV Class

References

References

1. "Ceremonial y Protocolo - Condecoraciones". Gobierno de Chile.
2. Barrio, Antonio Prieto. (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile". Antonio Prieto Barrio.
3. Barrio, Antonio Prieto. (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile". Antonio Prieto Barrio.
4. Barrio, Antonio Prieto. (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile". Antonio Prieto Barrio.
5. Dirección de Operaciones, Estado Mayor General. (1984). "E18 Reglamento para el Otorgamiento de la Condecoración Cruz al Merito Aeronáutiqo de Chile". Fuerza Aerea de Chile.
6. Relaciones Publicas, Ejército de Chile. (3 December 2010). "Ejército conmemora a primeras Unidades Militares". Ejército de Chile.
7. Dirección de Comunicaciones de la Armada. (3 December 2011). "Ejército de Chile condecora con la "Cruz Ejército Bicentenario" a Instituciones de la Defensa Nacional". Armada de Chile.
8. Relaciones Publicas, Ejército de Chile. (1 December 2010). "Homenaje a la Virgen del Carmen". Ejército de Chile.
9. Barrio, Antonio Prieto. (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile". Antonio Prieto Barrio.
10. O'Higgins, Bernardo. (1819). "Recopilacion de los decretos expedidos por el Exmo. Sr. director supremo sobre la institucion y reglamento de la Legion de merito de Chile". Harvard University Library.
11. Abarca, Jorge. (2006). "Los militares ante la élite: Imagen y modalidades de captación en Perú y Chile (1817-1824)". Red Iris.