Magyar Katonai Érdemrend

The National Defence Committee had a design for a Hungarian Military Order of Merit (Magyar Katonai Érdemrend) prepared as early as the autumn of 1848; it was established on 2 March 1849 “for the sake of the homeland, so sorely beset.” Because of the wartime circumstances, only temporary medals were awarded, on the understanding that they would later be exchanged for more ornate ones. The third class of the three-class decoration became a mass award; generals and ordinary soldiers alike proudly wore the silver wreath on a red ribbon. Units deemed worthy received it collectively and attached the decoration to their flags. Artúr Görgey received the first-class star for the recapture of Buda Castle, and József Bem for the liberation of Transylvania; one example of it can be seen in the collection of the Institute and Museum of Military History.

Several people in exile had the more ornate version planned for the third class of the Military Order of Merit made and wore it. A few examples of these have also found their way into our museums.