History

The José María Córdova Order of Military Merit (Orden del Mérito Militar "José María Córdova") was instituted by decree on December 23, 1950, and regulated in March 27, 1952.

It is currently awarded to members of the Armed Forces for acts of valour and gallantry. It might be awarded to foreign Officers as well.

The Order's grade are Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight, and Member. It is not clear if the grade denotes the rank of the recipient.

This Order was named after José María Córdova Muñoz (1799-1829), a Colombian hero in the War for Independence from Spain. General Jose Cordoba was responsible for the defeat of the Spanish Army at the battle of Ayacucho, which was the last great confrontation within the terrestrial campaigns of the Hispano-American wars of independence (1809 - 1826).

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