History

The Military Merit Medal was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm II. It was conferred upon non-commissioned officers and soldiers who had rendered distinguished service within campaigns.

The foundation of the medal was closely tied to the French Revolution and the war against Napoleon, as in both events the role of the common soldier became more important.

The medal could be stripped from a recipient for cowardice, desertion, or theft.

The Type III decorations were redesigned on September 30, 1814.

This decoration is identical to the General Honour Decoration awarded from 1814 to 1890, but the decorations for military merit were worn on a black ribbon with two thick white stripes and two thin black stripes along the exterior edges.