Order of Military Merit (South Korea)

The Order of Military Merit (, Hanja: 武功勳章) is the primary military decoration awarded by the South Korean government.

It is awarded to a person who rendered "outstanding military services by participating in an action in time of war or in quasi-state of war or by performing his/her duty equivalent to combat, such as responding to the attack of an enemy in a contact area."

History

On 18 October 1950, law about Order of Military Merit was enacted.

Original names are as follows:

• First Class Order of Military Merit,
• Second Class Order of Military Merit,
• Third Class Order of Military Merit,
• Fourth Class Order of Military Merit

On 19 August 1951, The names were changed as follows:

• Taegeuk Order of Military Merit,
• Eulji Order of Military Merit,
• Chungmu Order of Military Merit,
• Hwarang Order of Military Merit

On 14 December 1963, Inheon Order of Military Merit was added.

Classes and Grades

The Order of Military Merit is awarded in five classes and each of these has three grades. In descending order of rank, the classes are: Taegeuk (태극), Eulji (을지), Chungmu (충무), Hwarang (화랑) and Inheon (인헌).

Taegeuk (태극), Eulji (을지), Chungmu (충무), Hwarang (화랑) had a first, second or third grade, denoted respectively by a gold star (금성), silver star (은성), or an unadorned ribbon (무성).

For example, Gold Star Taegeuk (금성태극), Silver Star Taegeuk (은성태극), or Unadorned Taegeuk. (무성태극)

Since 1964, there are only five classes authorized as below.

Notable recipients

※ Date: Date is on the certificate document or on database is prior to date of conferment ceremony.<br /> ※ Rank: As of awarded date<br /> ※ indicates that the recipient was killed in action.

Taegeuk