Hæderstegn for god tjeneste ved Søetaten

The Medal for Good Service in the Navy (Hæderstegnet for god tjeneste ved Søetaten) is an official Danish decoration awarded to employees of the Royal Danish Navy. The medal was established on 29 January 1801 and was originally called the Holmen Medal of Honour until 1843, a name that is still used among Navy employees.

The medal is made of silver, and its obverse depicts the crowned monogram of its royal founder, King Christian VII, with the inscription “29 JAN 1801” and “FOR GOD TIENESTE” (“For Good Service”). On the reverse is an oak wreath bearing the inscription “FORTIENT” (“Deserved”).

The medal is awarded to any man or woman employed in the Navy (the Naval Service) who has completed a total of 25 years of service in the Danish Armed Forces. Only persons of impeccable conduct may be nominated for the honour.

After a total of 40 years of service in the Armed Forces, a gold oak leaf is awarded and attached to the medal’s ribbon. This does not apply, however, to persons eligible for the Medal of Merit in Silver.