The Order of Military Merit (or Орден за Военна Заслуга in Bulgarian) is an order established with a decree of the Knyaz on 19 May 1900, during the Kingdom of Bulgaria and the Republic of Bulgaria.
It was given to military figures for immaculate service and special merit; for great contributions for the development and the consolidation of the Bulgarian Army, for participation in peacekeeping, peacemaking and humanitarian operations, for long and immaculate service and contribution for the national security and civil order in Bulgaria.
The following grades exist (the Grand Cross was added in 1933):
- I grade, Grand Cross. Awarded to senior state officers and military personnel.
- II grade, Grand Officer. Awarded only to generals.
- III grade, Commander. Awarded to commanders of regiments (colonels and lieutenant colonels).
- IV grade, Officer. Awarded to majors and captains who commanded companies.
- V grade, Knight. Awarded to commanders with rank up to captain, Opalchentsi, volunteers in the Serbo-Bulgarian War, the Balkan Wars, and others.
- VI grade, Silver Cross. Awarded to sergeants, Opalchentsi, volunteers in the wars and others.
In the 1950s the order was abolished. It was restored in two grades in 2004.
The Order of Military Merit Design
The order has the shape of a Pisan cross with its arms covered in red enamel. There are two swords between them with edges pointing to the top.
In the center of the obverse is the monogram of the founder Knyaz Ferdinand, surrounded by a ring in green enamel with inscription ЗА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА (translated “For Military Merit”). During the war, a laurel wreath was added on top of the arms of the cross, along with a white ring.
The reverse resembles that of the Order of Civil Merit but with a green ring.
