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 Silver Star was awarded on a blue ribbon with a wide yellow stripe, and from 1945-1962, it was awarded on a solid blue ribbon with 2 wavy yellow stripes.

The Small Silver Star features a reverse inscription that translates to "Loyalty and Merit."

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