- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: December 22, 1873
- Country: Belgium
The Military Decoration (Décoration Militaire / Militaire Ereteken) is a military award of the Kingdom of Belgium established on December 23, 1873 and awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Belgian Armed Forces for loyal and uninterrupted service.
The Decoration is awarded in two classes: Military personnel below the rank of Officer are awarded the second class after ten years of service. Five years after the award, they are awarded the first class of the medal.
The Military Decoration for Exceptional Service Design
The award is a gilt cross pattée surmounted by the royal crown of Belgium with four rays between the cross arms.
The obverse bears a circular central medallion with a Belgian lion and a circular relief inscription: “Unity makes Strength” in French (“l’union fait la force”) or Dutch (since July, 8, 1952, “eendracht maakt macht”). The reverse is identical except for the central medallion, which bears the royal monogram of the reigning monarch surrounded by the relief inscription “ARMÉE * MÉRITE * ANCIENNETÉ” (“ARMY * MERIT * SENIORITY“).
Since July, 8, 1952, only a Belgian lion is depicted, without surrounding text or reference to the reigning monarch.
The ribbon is silk moiré of seventeen alternating longitudinal stripes of red, yellow and black. The medal is suspended by a ring through the suspension loop. A gilt inverted metal chevron is affixed to the ribbon of the award first class.
