The Chilean honours system provides a means for the Government of Chile to reward gallantry, achievement, or service, by both Chileans and non-citizens. The honours system consists of three types of award: orders, decorations and medals. Membership of an Order (in one of its various grades) is conferred to recognise merit in terms of achievement and service. Decorations are conferred to recognise specific deeds of gallantry, bravery, distinguished or meritorious service. Medals are conferred to recognise long and/or valuable service and/or good conduct. Awards to non-citizens are usually only made where the gallantry, achievement or service has advanced Chilean interests in some way. The honours conferred by the Chilean Republic can be divided into two groups: civil and military. Military honours are conferred by the different branches of the Armed Forces of Chile. Civil honours are conferred by the President of Chile or, in some instances, by the government minister relevant to the particular honour.
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The Order of Merit of Chile () was established in 1906, as a successor order to the Legion of Merit, to 'reward outstanding civil service to the Republic of Chile provided by foreign nationals'. The order is governed by the Council of the Order of Merit of Chile. The President of Chile is the Chair of the council. The remaining councilors comprise the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chancellor of the Order), the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Director General Foreign Policy and the Director General Ceremonial and Protocol (Secretary of the Order) while the Deputy Director Protocol serves as the Secretary of the Order. The order consists of five classes:
The Order of Bernado O'Higgins () was established in 1956 as an extension of the Order of Merit of Chile in order to recognise foreign nationals for their 'outstanding contribution to the arts, sciences, education, industry, trade or social and humanitarian cooperation'. The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is conferred by the Chilean President on the advice of the Minister of Foreign Relations. The order was originally established in two classes:
In 1967 the order was reorganised into five classes, and after modifications in 1985 and 2006, it acquired the same grades as the Order of Merit:
The Order of Gabriela Mistral () was established in 1977 and is conferred by the Minister of Education to Chileans and to foreign nationals who have 'made an outstanding contribution benefiting education, culture and the advancement of teaching'. When presented outside of Chile, installation is usually performed at the Chilean embassy, legation or consulate by the highest Chilean representative present or personally by the Minister of Education. The order consists of a single class.
The decoration for Meritorious Service to the Republic () was established as an order, in 1985, to recognise Chilean citizens for 'services of special importance for the country'. Membership of the Order is conferred by the President of the Republic upon the recommendation of a Council composed of the Ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and the Secretary General of the Presidency. The council is also responsible for the order's registry. The order is established in five classes:
The Order of Naval Merit () was established in three classes:
The decoration of the President of the Republic () was established as an order in four classes:
Decoration of Valour ()
Medal of Valour ()
Victory Cross decoration
The Victory Cross decoration () is established in two grades:
Decoration of Honour for Distinguished Service ()
Distinguished Service Decoration
The Distinguished Service Decoration () is conferred in separate versions for each of the Army (), Navy (), Air Force () and Police Force (). The decoration is established in three classes:
Cross of Aeronautical Merit
The Cross of Aeronautical Merit () is established in five classes:
Cross of the Army Bicentenary The Cross of the Army Bicentenary () was established by President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera Echenique, in 2010 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Chilean Army (which was established on 2 December 1810). It is conferred by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army to recognise representatives of organisations that have significantly supported the endeavours of the Army. The decoration has been established in two grades:
Notable recipients of the Grand Cross of the Army Bicentenary include President Piñera and the Virgin of Carmen () at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. Notable Chilean recipients of the Cross of the Army Bicentenary include the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Edmundo Gonzalez, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Air Force General Jorge Rojas Avila, the Director General of the Carabineros, General Manager Gustavo González Jure, and the Director General of Investigations Police, Marcos Antonio Vásquez Meza.
Medal of Diplomatic Merit
The Medal of Diplomatic Merit () was established to recognise selected officials of the foreign service branch of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.
Medal of Functionary Merit
The Medal of Functionary Merit () was established to recognise selected officials (functionaries) of the Management and Professional branches of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.
Military Works Corps Star of Honour and Merit ()
Decoration for Great Military Merit of the Chilean Air Force ()
Military Star ()
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Chilean Air Force Commemorative Medal ()
Service Medal of the Ministry of National Defense ()
Service Medal of the Honourable Board of the Government ()
Mission Accomplished ()
18 September Medal ()
The Legion of Merit of Chile () was established on 1 June 1817 by the Supreme Director of the newly independent Chile, Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins, to reward civil and military service to the nation and, at the time, was the most senior honour of Chile. The Head of State was established as the head of the Legion. However, after O'Higgins resigned in January 1823, the President of the Regency Council, José Miguel Infante, effectively abolished the order in June 1825. The order was established in four classes: