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The Chilean honours system provides a means for the Government of Chile to reward gallantry, achievement, or service, by both Chileans and non-citizens. The honours system consists of three types of award: orders, decorations and medals. Membership of an Order (in one of its various grades) is conferred to recognise merit in terms of achievement and service. Decorations are conferred to recognise specific deeds of gallantry, bravery, distinguished or meritorious service. Medals are conferred to recognise long and/or valuable service and/or good conduct. Awards to non-citizens are usually only made where the gallantry, achievement or service has advanced Chilean interests in some way. The honours conferred by the Chilean Republic can be divided into two groups: civil and military. Military honours are conferred by the different branches of the Armed Forces of Chile. Civil honours are conferred by the President of Chile or, in some instances, by the government minister relevant to the particular honour.

Orders[]

Legión Original

Obverse of the breast badge of the Legion of Merit of Chile, IV Class. This version of the badge was given to those who distinguished themselves in the Battle of Chacabuco, June 1817

Legion of Merit[]

The Legion of Merit of Chile (Spanish language: Legión de Mérito de Chile ) was established on 1 June 1817 by the Supreme Director of the newly independent Chile, Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins, to reward civil and military service to the nation and, at the time, was the most senior honour of Chile.[1] The Head of State was established as the head of the Legion.[1] However, after O'Higgins resigned in January 1823, the President of the Regency Council, José Miguel Infante, effectively abolished the order in June 1825.[2] The order was established in four classes:

  • Grand Officers of the Legion (Spanish language: Grandes Oficiales de la Legión

), I Class

  • Officers of the Legion (Spanish language: Oficiales de la Legión

), II Class

  • Sub-Officers of the Legion (Spanish language: Sub-Oficiales de la Legión

), III Class

  • Legionnaires or Members of the Legion (Spanish language: Legionarios o Miembros de la Legión

), IV Class[1][3]

Order of Merit[]

(Spanish language: Orden del Mérito )[4]

The Order of Merit of Chile (Spanish language: Orden al Mérito de Chile ) was established in 1906, as a successor order to the Legion of Merit, to 'reward outstanding civil service to the Republic of Chile provided by foreign nationals'. The order is governed by the Council of the Order of Merit of Chile. The President of Chile is the Chair of the council. The remaining councilors comprise the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chancellor of the Order), the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Director General Foreign Policy and the Director General Ceremonial and Protocol (Secretary of the Order) while the Deputy Director Protocol serves as the Secretary of the Order.[5] The order consists of five classes:

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Cross BAR Grand Cross with Collar (Spanish language: Collar de la Gran Cruz

), I* Class

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Cross BAR Grand Cross (Spanish language: Gran Cruz

), I Class

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Grand Officer BAR Grand Officer (Spanish language: Gran Oficial

), II Class

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Commander BAR Commander (Spanish language: Comendador

), III Class

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Officer BAR Officer (Spanish language: Oficial

), IV Class

  • CHL Order of Merit of Chile - Knight BAR Knight (Spanish language: Caballero

), V Class[4]

Order of Bernardo O'Higgins[]

Orden Bernardo O'Higgins GCruz

Order of Bernado O'Higgins
I Class Breast Star

The Order of Bernado O'Higgins (Spanish language: Orden de Bernardo O'Higgins ) was established in 1956 as an extension of the Order of Merit of Chile in order to recognise foreign nationals for their 'outstanding contribution to the arts, sciences, education, industry, trade or social and humanitarian cooperation'. The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is conferred by the Chilean President on the advice of the Minister of Foreign Relations.[5] The order was originally established in two classes:

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Officer BAR Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, I Class (Spanish language: Medalla Bernardo O'Higgins, Primera Clase

)

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Knight BAR Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, II Class (Spanish language: Medalla Bernardo O'Higgins, Segunda Clase

)[4] In 1967 the order was reorganised into five classes:

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Grand Cross BAR Grand Cross (Spanish language: Gran Cruz

), I Class

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Grand Officer BAR Grand Officer (Spanish language: Gran Oficial

), II Class

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Commander BAR Commander (Spanish language: Comendador

), III Class

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Officer BAR Officer (Spanish language: Oficial

), IV Class

  • CHL Order of Bernardo O'Higgins - Knight BAR Knight (Spanish language: Caballero

), V Class[4]

President of the Republic decoration[]

The decoration of the President of the Republic (Spanish language: Condecoración Presidente de la República ) was established as an order in three classes:

  • Grand Officer (Spanish language: Gran Oficial

), I Class

  • Officer (Spanish language: Oficial

), II Class

  • Knight (Spanish language: Caballero

), III Class[6]

Meritorious Service to the Republic[]

The decoration for Meritorious Service to the Republic (Spanish language: Condecoración Servicios Meritorios a la República ) was established as an order, in 1985, to recognise Chilean citizens for 'services of special importance for the country'. Membership of the Order is conferred by the President of the Republic upon the recommendation of a Council composed of the Ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and the Secretary General of the Presidency. The council is also responsible for the order's registry.[5] The order is established in five classes:

  • Grand Star in Gold (Spanish language: Gran Estrella de Oro

), I Class

  • Grand Officer (Spanish language: Gran Oficial

), II Class

  • Commander (Spanish language: Comendador

), III Class

  • Silver Star with Golden Laurel (Spanish language: Comendador

), IV Class

  • Knight (Spanish language: Caballero

), V Class

  • Silver Star (Spanish language: Comendador

), VI Class[4]

Order of Naval Merit[]

The Order of Naval Merit (Spanish language: Orden al Mérito Naval ) was established in three classes:

  • Commander (Spanish language: Comendador

), I Class

  • Officer (Spanish language: Oficial

), II Class

  • Knight (Spanish language: Caballero

), III Class[6]

Gabriela Mistral Order of Educational and Cultural Merit[]

The Order of Gabriela Mistral (Spanish language: Orden al Mérito Docente y Cultural Gabriela Mistral ) was established in 1977 and is conferred by the Minister of Education to Chileans and to foreign nationals who have 'made an outstanding contribution benefiting education, culture and the advancement of teaching'. When presented outside of Chile, installation is usually performed at the Chilean embassy, legation or consulate by the highest Chilean representative present or personally by the Minister of Education.[5] The order consists of a single class.[4]

Decorations[]

Decorations for Gallantry[]

ValourIclase

Medal of Valour I Class

Decoration of Valour (Spanish language: Condecoración Al Valor )[4]

Medal of Valour (Spanish language: Medalla Al Valor )[6]

Decorations for Distinguished Service[]

Victory Cross decoration

The Victory Cross decoration (Spanish language: Condecoración Gran Cruz de la Victoria ) is established in two grades:

  • Grand Victory Cross (Spanish language: Condecoración Gran Cruz de la Victoria

)[4]

  • Victory Cross (Spanish language: Condecoración Cruz de la Victoria

)[4]

Decoration of Honour for Distinguished Service (Spanish language: Condecoración de Honor por Servicios Distinguidos )[7]

  • Grand Star of Honour (Army) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella de Honor Ejército

)[7]

  • Grand Star of Merit (Army) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella al Mérito Ejército

)[7]

  • Grand Star (Army) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella Ejército

)[7]

  • Star (Army) (Spanish language: Estrella Ejército

)[7]

  • Grand Star of Merit (Air Force) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella al Mérito Fuerza Aérea

)[7]

  • Grand Star (Air Force) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella Fuerza Aérea

)[7]

  • Star (Air Force) (Spanish language: Estrella Fuerza Aérea

)[7]

  • Grand Star of Merit (Police) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella al Mérito Carabineros

)[7]

  • Grand Star (Police) (Spanish language: Gran Estrella Carabineros

)[7]

  • Star (Police) (Spanish language: Estrella Carabineros

)[7]

Distinguished Service Decoration The Distinguished Service Decoration (Spanish language: Condecoración por Servicios Distinguidos ) is conferred in separate versions for each of the Army (Spanish language: Ejército ), Navy (Spanish language: Armada ), Air Force (Spanish language: Fuerza Aérea ) and Police Force (Spanish language: Carabineros ). The decoration is established in three classes:

  • I Class (Spanish language: Primera Clase

)

  • II Class (Spanish language: Segunda Clase

)

  • III Class (Spanish language: Tercera Clase

)[7]

Decorations for Meritorious Service[]

Cross of Aeronautical Merit

The Cross of Aeronautical Merit (Spanish language: Condecoración Cruz al Mérito Aeronáutico ) is established in five classes:

  • Order of Aeronautical Merit-Grand Cross-Chile Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit (Spanish language: Gran Cruz al Mérito Aeronáutico

), I Class

  • Cross of Aeronautical Merit (Spanish language: Cruz al Mérito Aeronáutico

), II Class

  • Distinguished Flying Cross (Spanish language: Cruz al Vuelo Distinguido

), III Class

  • Distinguished Service Cross (Spanish language: Cruz de Servicios Distinguidos

), IV Class

  • Bar of Honour (Spanish language: Barra de Honor

), V Class[7][8]

Cross of the Army Bicentenary The Cross of the Army Bicentenary (Spanish language: Cruz del Ejército Bicentenario ) was established by President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera Echenique, in 2010 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Chilean Army (which was established on 2 December 1810). It is conferred by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army to recognise representatives of organisations that have significantly supported the endeavours of the Army. The decoration has been established in two grades:

  • Grand Cross of the Army Bicentenary (Spanish language: Gran Cruz del Ejército Bicentenario

) - the badge of a Grand Cross is worn on a broad scarlet sash hung across the body from the right shoulder.

  • Cross of the Army Bicentenary (Spanish language: Cruz del Ejército Bicentenario

) - this grade uses a neck badge suspended from a scarlet ribbon.[9][10] Notable recipients of the Grand Cross of the Army Bicentenary include President Piñera[9] and the Virgin of Carmen (Spanish language: la Virgen del Carmen ) at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago.[11] Notable Chilean recipients of the Cross of the Army Bicentenary include the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Edmundo Gonzalez, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Air Force General Jorge Rojas Avila, the Director General of the Carabineros, General Manager Gustavo González Jure, and the Director General of Investigations Police, Marcos Antonio Vásquez Meza.[10]

Medal of Diplomatic Merit

The Medal of Diplomatic Merit (Spanish language: Medalla al Mérito Diplomático ) was established to recognise selected officials of the foreign service branch of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.[3][5]

Medal of Functionary Merit

The Medal of Functionary Merit (Spanish language: Medalla al Mérito Funcionario ) was established to recognise selected officials (functionaries) of the Management and Professional branches of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, for long and meritorious service on behalf of Chile.[3][5]

Military Works Corps Star of Honour and Merit (Spanish language: Medalla Estrella de Honor al Mérito Cuerpo Militar del Trabajo )[4]

Decorations for Long and Meritorious Service[]

Decoration for Great Military Merit of the Chilean Air Force (Spanish language: Condecoración al Gran Mérito Militar de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile )[7]

Military Star (Spanish language: Condecoración Estrella Militar )[6]

Medals[]

Commemorative Medals[]

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Chilean Air Force Commemorative Medal (Spanish language: Condecoración Conmemorativa del Cincuentenario de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile )[7]

Long service awards[]

  • 30 Years Service award (Spanish language: Condecoración 30 años de servicios

)[7]

  • 20 Years Service award (Spanish language: Condecoración 20 años de servicios

)[7]

  • 10 Years Service award (Spanish language: Condecoración 10 años de servicios

)[7]

  • 30 Years of Police Service Medal (Spanish language: Medalla 30 años de servicios Carabineros

)[7]

  • 20 Years of Police Service Medal (Spanish language: Medalla 20 años de servicios Carabineros

)[7]

Service School medals[]

  • Military School of the Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins Gold Medal (Spanish language: Medalla de Oro de la Escuela Militar del Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins

)[4]

  • Minerva Medal (Army War College) (Spanish language: Medalla Minerva de la Academia de Guerra Ejército

)[4]

  • Minerva Medal (Air Force War College) (Spanish language: Medalla Minerva de la Academia de Guerra Fuerza Aérea

)[4]

  • General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Police School Medal (Spanish language: Medalla Escuela de Carabineros General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo

)[4]

  • Second Sergeant Daniel Rebolledo Sepúlveda NCO School Medal (Spanish language: Medalla Escuela de Suboficiales del Sargento 2° Daniel Rebolledo Sepúlveda

)[4]

Service Medal of the Ministry of National Defense (Spanish language: Medalla de Servicio del Ministerio de Defensa Nacional )[7]

Service medals[]

Service Medal of the Honourable Board of the Government (Spanish language: Medalla por Servicios en la Honorable Junta de Gobierno )[4]

Mission Accomplished (Spanish language: Condecoración Misión Cumplida )[12]

18 September Medal (Spanish language: Medalla 18 de Septiembre )[7]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 O'Higgins, Bernardo (1819) (in Spanish). Recopilacion de los decretos expedidos por el Exmo. Sr. director supremo sobre la institucion y reglamento de la Legion de merito de Chile (Impr. de Gobierno, Santiago, Chile ed.). Harvard University Library. pp. 1–24. http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2574922?n=1&s=4&printThumbnails=no.  Decrees and Regulations of the Legion of Merit of Chile.
  2. Abarca, Jorge (2006). "Los militares ante la élite: Imagen y modalidades de captación en Perú y Chile (1817-1824)" (in Spanish) (PDF). Red Iris. p. 13. ISSN 1138-7319. http://hispanianova.rediris.es/6/articulos/6a002.pdf. Retrieved 9 July 2012. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Barrio, Antonio Prieto (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile" (in Spanish). Colecciones Militares. Antonio Prieto Barrio. p. 4. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/america/chile4.gif. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 Barrio, Antonio Prieto (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile" (in Spanish). Colecciones Militares. Antonio Prieto Barrio. p. 1. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/america/chile1.gif. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Ceremonial y Protocolo - Condecoraciones" (in Spanish). Ministerio De Relaciones Exteriores de Chile. Gobierno de Chile. http://www.minrel.gob.cl/prontus_minrel/site/artic/20080813/pags/20080813184351.php. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Barrio, Antonio Prieto (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile" (in Spanish). Colecciones Militares. Antonio Prieto Barrio. p. 3. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/america/chile3.gif. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 Barrio, Antonio Prieto (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile" (in Spanish). Colecciones Militares. Antonio Prieto Barrio. p. 2. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/america/chile2.gif. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 
  8. Dirección de Operaciones, Estado Mayor General (1984) (PDF). E18 Reglamento para el Otorgamiento de la Condecoración Cruz al Merito Aeronáutiqo de Chile (July 2010 ed.). Chile: Fuerza Aerea de Chile. http://www.fach.cl/gob_transp/reglamentos/regl_publicos/E18.pdf.  Regulations for Granting of the Decoration Cross of Aeronautical Merit of Chile.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Relaciones Publicas, Ejército de Chile (3 December 2010). "Ejército conmemora a primeras Unidades Militares" (in Spanish). Ejército de Chile website - Prensa Noticias. Santiago, Chile: Ejército de Chile. http://www.ejercito.cl/detalle_noticia.php?noticia=4416. Retrieved 8 July 2012. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 Dirección de Comunicaciones de la Armada (3 December 2011). "Ejército de Chile condecora con la "Cruz Ejército Bicentenario" a Instituciones de la Defensa Nacional" (in Spanish). Armada de Chile website - Noticias Navales. Santiago, Chile: Armada de Chile. http://www.armada.cl/prontus_armada/site/artic/20111203/pags/20111203100916.html. Retrieved 8 July 2012. 
  11. Relaciones Publicas, Ejército de Chile (1 December 2010). "Homenaje a la Virgen del Carmen" (in Spanish). Ejército de Chile website - Prensa Noticias. Santiago, Chile: Ejército de Chile. http://www.ejercito.cl/detalle_noticia.php?noticia=4411. Retrieved 8 July 2012. 
  12. Barrio, Antonio Prieto (2012). "Coleccion de Cintas - Chile" (in Spanish). Colecciones Militares. Antonio Prieto Barrio. p. 5. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/america/chile5.gif. Retrieved 3 July 2012. 

See also[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Orders, decorations, and medals of Chile and the edit history here.
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