The Military Merit Decoration (Austria)

• Time Period: Post-WW2
• Institution: 13 November 1989
• Country: Austria

The Austrian Military Merit Decoration (or Militärverdienstzeichen in German) is an Austrian military decoration established on 13 November 1989 to honor the Military of Austria.

The decorations are awarded by the Federal President at the request of the Federal Minister of Defense and after a decision by the Ministerial Council. Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Defense of November 13, 1989, Federal Law Gazette 551.

Holders of the Military Merit Decoration wear the badge on the left side of the chest.

The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria Design

The badge is a silver-gilt breast star that is worn on the left chest, measuring 30.88 mm (w) x 31.40 mm (h) and weighing 14.3 grams. The cross is 60 mm wide and high and in white enamel, with a red border. Between the arms of the cross are gold crossed swords.

The obverse shows a central white enameled medallion with the Austrian eagle and the inscription “Verdienst” (“Merit” in German). The reverse is decorated with white enamels and has no inscription.

The suspension is a loop from which the ribbon (and sometimes a miniature decoration) is attached. The ribbon is white and red with diagonal lines.