Cross of Merit (Austria-Hungary)

The Cross of Merit (Verdienstkreuz) (Érdemkereszt) was a military and civil decoration of Austria-Hungary established 16 Februar 1850. Emperor Franz Josef awarded the cross "to reward loyal and actively proven devotion to Emperor and Fatherland, many years of acknowledged beneficial use in public service or other merits earned for the general good".

History
The establishment took place on February 16, 1850. The decoration came in four classes. During the First World War, the award was extended to include the Iron Cross of Merit with and without a crown on April 1, 1916, for the duration of the war. The latter class was intended exclusively for lower ranking soldiers. As a sign of bravery in the face of the enemy, Emperor Karl I introduced the awarding of swords to all classes of the Cross of Merit on December 13, 1916. When awarded with swords, they were to be placed on either a trifold ribbon or on a ribbon bar. The cross is suspended from a red trifold ribbon in peacetime and the ribbon of the Medal for Bravery in wartime.

Classes

 * Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown
 * Golden Cross of Merit
 * Silver Cross of Merit with the Crown
 * Silver Cross of Merit
 * Iron Cross of Merit with the Crown
 * Iron Cross of MeritÉrdemkeresztek (Ausztria).jpg