✚10924✚ Austria Republic post WW2 cased Decoration of Merit Gold A. Reitterer
Original Austria Republic cased Decoration of Merit Gold (Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich), IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ON GENUINE TRIFOLD RIBBON, MAKER MARKED: "WOLFGANG REITTERER - WIEN", A VERY GREAT EXAMPLE WITH ATTRACTIVE FINISH
HISTORY OF THE AWARD:
The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (German: Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) is a national honour awarded by the Republic of Austria. The decoration is awarded in 15 grades and is Austria's highest national honour. The "Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria" was established by the National Council in 1952. 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. The State 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". The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria is divided into the 15 classes as follows: Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 1st Class, Grand Star (Gross-Stern), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 2nd Class, Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash (Grosses Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 3rd Class, Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Sash (Grosses Silbernes Ehrenzeichen am Bande), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 4th Class, Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star (Grosses Goldenes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 5th Class, Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star (Grosses Silbernes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 6th Class, Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold (Grosses Goldenes Ehrenzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 7th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver (Grosses Silbernes Ehrenzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 8th Class, Grand Decoration of Honour (Grosses Ehrenzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 9th Class, Decoration of Honour in Gold (Goldenes Ehrenzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 10th Class, Decoration of Honour in Silver (Silbernes Ehrenzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 11th Class, Decoration of Merit in Gold (Goldenes Verdienstzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 12th Class, Decoration of Merit in Silver (Silbernes Verdienstzeichen), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Gold Medal, Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Life Saving Medal, Gold Medal (Goldene Medaille), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Silver Medal, Silver Medal (Silberne Medaille), Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Bronze Medal & Bronze Medal (Bronzene Medaille), no longer awarded. 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.