History

The Order of the Liberator San Martin (Orden del Libertador San Martín) was instituted by the Executive on August 17, 1943, right after the Revolution of '43. It was reorganized on May 21, 1948, and later it was repealed and re-instituted on December 17, 1957. The current regulations were approved on December 18, 1967.

The Order is Argentina's highest order and the only one that has the Collar grade. It is conferred exclusively upon foreign government officials and military personnel who honorably served Argentina while performing their duties. It consists of six grades, e.i., Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

The Order was named in honor of General San Martin who was the greatest revolutionary hero in the Argentine War of Independence (1810-1820).

The Order's motto is featured on the obverse and translates to "Liberator San Martin."

The Grand Cross is conferred upon Ministers, members of the Supreme Court, Ambassadors, Lieutenants, General Brigadier, Chief Commanders, Presidents of National Assemblies and civil servants of similar rank.

The Grand Cross has been conferred to Walker San Miguel, Minister of Defense in Bolivia; Manuel Alabart, ambassador of México in Spain and; Sofía de Grecia, among others.