History

The Star for Loyalty and Merit was established by the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies as a replacement for the Medal for Civil Merit. The native citizens did not place as much value on round medals as they did on stars, and thus the former Medal was replaced by the Star. It was permanently discontinued in 1962.

The Star for Loyalty and Merit was awarded to native citizens for a variety of merits.

From 1893-1945, the Small Gold Star was awarded on a solid yellow ribbon edged in blue with 2 wide blue stripes, and from 1945-1962, it was awarded on a solid blue ribbon with 4 wavy yellow stripes.

The Small Gold Star features a Dutch Lion on the obverse and a reverse inscription that translates to "Loyalty and Merit."

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