Order for Social Merit (France)
The Order for Social Merit (fr. Ordre du Mérite social ) was founded by decree on October 25, 1936 by the French President Albert Lebrun and was intended to honor people who had made services to the Republic of France in the social sector. The award was presented on the proposal of the French Minister of Labor.
Classes
The order consists of three classes
In order to be awarded the medal, one had to be 32 years of age. The officer's cross could be awarded no earlier than eight years after being appointed knight, and the commander's cross no earlier than five years after being appointed officer.
Order decoration
The medal is a seven-pointed, light blue enameled star with small spheres on the star tips. A thick laurel wreath runs under the star arms . In the medallion the image of Marianne , which is enclosed by a white enamelled circlet with the inscription MERITE SOCIAL (social merit ). On the reverse the three-line inscription MINISTERE DU TRAVAIL (Minister of Labor).
Carrying method
The commander's cross is worn as a neck medal . The medals of the officers and knights on the ribbon on the left side of the chest, with a rosette on the ribbon of the officer's cross .
The ribbon is orange-red with light blue stripes.
- Ribbon buckles of the Order of Social Merit
commander
officer
Knight
Others
The award of the Order of Social Merit was discontinued in 1963 as part of the reorganization of the French religious system and the Foundation of the National Order of Merit .
literature
- André Souyris-Rolland: Guide des Ordres Civil Français et Étrangers, des Médailles d'Honneur et des Médailles des Sociétés. Paris 1979.