Order of Aeronautical Merit (Brazil)

The Order of Aeronautical Merit (Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico) is an award of the Brazilian Air Force, established on 1 November 1943 by President Getúlio Vargas. The order is presented in five grades and recognizes distinguished service and exceptional contributions to the Brazilian Air Force.

Grades
The order is awarded in the following grades:
 * BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Grã-Cruz.png Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
 * BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Grande Oficial.png Grand Officer (Grande Oficial)
 * BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Comendador.png Commander (Comendador)
 * BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Oficial.png Officer (Oficial)
 * BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Cavaleiro.png Knight (Cavaleiro)

Notable recipients

 * Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff (2006–09), Pakistan Air Force
 * Stéphane Abrial, French
 * Micael Bydén, Sweden
 * Ira C. Eaker, American
 * Dwight D. Eisenhower, American, Grand Cross (August 5, 1946)
 * Yuri Gagarin, Soviet
 * Leonard T. Gerow, American
 * Bruce K. Holloway, American
 * Michael J. Hood, Canadian
 * Jonas H. Ingram, American
 * Jacques Paul Klein, American
 * Curtis LeMay, American
 * Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazilian
 * Donald A. Quarles, American
 * Guido Manini Ríos, Uruguay
 * John Dale Ryan, American
 * Michael E. Ryan, American
 * Henri Sauvan, French