Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Order instituted on 7 September 1951.
Order awarded for achievements that served the rebuilding of the country in the fields of political, socio-economic and intellectual activity, and is intended to mean an award of all those whose work contributes to the peaceful rise of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Order comprises four groups with in total eight classes: Grand Cross Special Class, Grand Cross 1st Class, Grand Cross 2nd Class, Grand Officer's Cross, Commander's Cross, Officer's Cross, Knight's Cross and Merit Medal.