Category: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Categories: Germany, Civil Decorations

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The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only federal decoration of Germany. It was created by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Order comprises four groups with seven regular and two special classes, hereafter the official denominations in English:

Grand Cross (German: Großkreuz)
- Grand Cross special class (Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes); the highest class of the Order reserved for heads of state.
- Grand Cross special issue (Großkreuz in besonderer Ausführung); equivalent to Grand Cross, but with laurel wreath design (awarded only twice in history, to Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl)
- Grand Cross 1st class (Großkreuz); Grand Cross
Great Cross of Merit (German: Großes Verdienstkreuz)
- Grand Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband); Great Cross with Star and Sash
- Knight Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern); Great Cross with Star
- Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz); Great Cross of Merit
Cross of Merit (German: Verdienstkreuz)
- Officer's Cross (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse); Cross of Merit 1. Class
- Cross (Verdienstkreuz am Bande); Member
Medal of Merit
- Medal