History

This is an Honorific Order founded by the Hungarian Committee of National Defence, it is also known as the Military Order of Merit of the Hungarian War of Independence 1848-1849, and the Military Order of the Crown of Hungary.

It was considered Hungary's highest decoration until the country was untied with Austria in 1867 under Franz Joseph I.

The Order was conferred to all military personnel, regardless of rank, for wartime merit, and to replace temporary wartime awards.

The II and III Class feature a silver laurel wreath on a red ribbon.

The II Class awards also feature a gold coloured crown and a Lorrain Cross inside the silver laurel wreath.