History

The Order of Naval Merit (Orden al Mérito Naval) is awarded to military and civil personnel, and institutions, either national or foreign, in recognition of the meritorious actions rendered in favor of the prestige of the Paraguayan Navy.

The Order's grades are Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. The grades denotes the rank of the recipient.

The official name of this cross is "Teniente José María Fariña" in honor of Lieutenant José María Fariña (1836-1915), a war hero of the Triple Alliance War (1867-1870), who fought bravely against Brazilians warships and caused larger damage to Brazilian forces in the Battler of Riachuelo.