The Cross of Honour for Military Service Abroad (Croix d’Honneur pour Service Militaire à l’Étranger / Erekruis voor Militaire Dienst in het Buitenland) is a Belgian military decoration established on 16 June 1997 and originally awarded to Belgian servicemen who served for a long period of time in the Federal Republic of Germany, Zaire (now Congo), Rwanda or Burundi.
The medal was awarded in three classes, based on the duration of service in the relevant territory:
- First Class is awarded for 15 years of service;
- Second Class for 10 years of service;
- Third Class for 5 years of service.
Depending on the region where the services were performed, one year of actual service may count for more than one year for the purpose of awarding the Cross of Honor.
The Cross of Honor for Military Service Abroad Design
The medal is a gold star with a red pearl at each tip, suspended to the ribbon by a royal crown and a ring.
The obverse bears a central medallion with a golden lion on a black enameled background surrounded by a ring of blue enamel with the motto in gold letters Pro Patria. The reverse bears a crown of laurels surrounding two crossed swords.
The ribbon is azure blue with a purple vertical border on each side and in the center a vertical stripe the color of which depends on the class: gold for first-class, silver for second class, and red for third class.
