Bundesverdienstkreuz

. This Federal Order of Merit has existed since September 7, 1951. Between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year in all classes.

Most of the German federal states ("Länder") have their own orders of merit, with up to three ranks (member, officer, commander). This excludes the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg, which reject any orders; by old tradition its citizens will refuse any decoration in form of an order.

Classes

The "Bundesverdienstkreuz" has eight classes, in ascending order:
* "Verdienstmedaille" (Medal of Merit)
* "Verdienstkreuz am Bande" (Cross of Merit on ribbon)
international: Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross)
* "Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse" (Cross of Merit, First class)
international: Offizierkreuz (Officer's Cross)
* "Großes Verdienstkreuz (Halskreuz)" (Great Cross of Merit, neck cross)
international: "Komturkreuz" (Commander's Cross)
* "Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern" (Great Cross of Merit with star)
international: "Großoffizierkreuz" (Great Officer's Cross)
* "Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband" (Great Cross of Merit with Star and shoulder ribbon)
international: "Großkreuz 2. Klasse" (Grand Cross of Merit, Second class) oder "Großkomturkreuz" (Grand Commander's Cross)
* "Großkreuz" (Grand Cross)
* "Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes" (Special class of the Grand Cross)

The President of the Federal Republic holds the "Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes" ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the "Bundestag" attended by the Chancellor, the President of the "Bundesrat" and the Supreme Court President. Other than the President of the Federal Republic, only a foreign head of state can be awarded with the highest class. There is also the provision of awarding the "Großkreuz" in a special rare design, which has so far only been used twice: for Konrad Adenauer and for Helmut Kohl.

Insignia

Except for the lowest class, the badge is the same for all classes, but with slightly different versions for men and women (slightly smaller badge and ribbon for women):

The "badge" is a golden Cross enamelled in red, with a central disc bearing a black eagle.

The "star" is a golden star with straight rays, its size and points vary according to class, with the badge superimposed upon it.

The "ribbon" is red with gold-black-gold stripes.

ee also

*Bundeswehr Crosses & Medal of Honor
*German Armed Forces Service Medal
*German Armed Forces Flood Service Medal
*German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency
*German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship
*German Parachutist Badge
*German Sports Badge

External links

* [http://www.bundespraesident.de/The-role-of-the-Federal-Presid/Work-in-Germany-,11180/The-Order-of-Merit-of-the-Fede.htm English text: The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]
* [http://www.bundespraesident.de/Anlage/original_620559/Broschuere-Verdienstorden-der-Bundesrepublik-Deutschland.pdf German text, with pictures of all classes (PDF)]
* [http://menschenundorden.hdg.de/Final/deu/page23.htm German text, pictures of all classes, plus some other medals]