History

This Medal was based upon the Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Medal “Signum Laudis.”

The Hungarian Signum Laudis decoration was founded by Miklos Horthy to reward Hungarian citizens and military personnel for rendering meritorious civilian and military services.

The Hungarian decorations feature the surmounting Hungarian Holy Crown, and the image of the two-armed cross of St. Stephen on the obverse medallion.

This decoration was discontinued in 1945.

The Large Gold Medal and Small Gold Medal were added as grades in 1930, at which time they replaced the previously awarded Gold Medal grade.

It is worn on a red ribbon with white and red stripes along the side for peacetime awards, and for wartime awards it is worn on a red ribbon with white and green stripes along the sides.

The suspension may be decorated with a metal shield indicating the recipient has been awarded the medal multiple times. One plain metal shield indicates the 2nd award, and a metal shield with a laurel wreath indicates the 3rd award.

The wartime awards conferred from 1939-1945 could also be conferred with crossed swords surmounting the medal to indicate direct combat with the enemy.

The addition of claps may increase the overall price of the medal.

The Large Gold Medal (1930-1945) is worn on a neck ribbon.