Discovering the medals of Latin America

Many collectors tend to focus on specific areas of military collectibles including United States military medals, medals of German States, named medals of particular British units, and even WWI town, city, and county medals of the U.S.A in WWI & WWII to name just a few examples. Many collectors also appreciate the design and aesthetics of medals outside of their main collecting area. One such area, infrequently seen, is the medals of Latin America, including the countries of Central and South America. More than 200 years ago, newly independent Latin American Republics began creating orders and medals as they fought for sovereignty and ways to express individual political ambitions.

Latin America’s political independence is most commonly associated with Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), the Venezuelan revolutionary general who led republican armies to liberate Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru beginning in 1813. Interestingly, Venezuela is the only country to award an order named exclusively for him, called the Order of the Liberator instituted in 1880 and traditionally worn by the president of Venezuela to symbolize Sovereign power.

The purpose of this article is simply to introduce collectors to a variety of Latin American awards, giving some details about their purpose and origin. This will touch on some of the 12 sovereign states of South America and some of the seven countries of Central America. There is an amazing variety of such medals found in the Western Hemisphere.

The book “From a Thankful Nation” by Robert L. Ross and Alan M. Stahl published in 2014, is considered the bible of Latin American Awards. It is a great resource for those who would like to learn more.

Following are some unique and interesting examples of Latin American Medals.

Brazil accounts for almost 50% of the land mass of South America as well as 50% of the population. While a Portuguese Colony from 1807-1822, and the Empire of Brazil from 1822-1889, Brazil became a constitutional republic in 1891 and remained at peace with its neighbors since then. Brazil did issue medals for its token participation in WWI and its involvement in the Italian Campaign in WWII. The country sent troops to service in the European Theater under unified Allied Command.

This resulted in the issue of Brazil’s War Medal instituted in 1944. The War Medal was awarded to army personnel on active duty or in the reserves both inside and outside Brazil. It could also be awarded to Allied Military personnel. The War Medal is distinguished by a 38mm green and yellow enameled cross pattee with a convex end imposed on a laurel and oak wreath in the angles.

Another major Brazilian award is the Order of Military Merit. It was awarded to military personnel and civilians (both foreign and national) for distinguished service to the army. The Order of Military Merit is an unusual design consisting of a 38mm white-enameled cross with floriated ends with a woman’s head facing left on a gilt field with green enamel border.

This is the second largest Central American country in size and population. Honduras gained its independence in 1821, although many of the country’s medals have seem to have authorized in the 20th century. Examples of Honduran military awards bear the maker mark of N.S. Meyer of New York.

One such example is the Honduran Good Conduct Cross. The Good Conduct Cross was awarded to Army Personnel and came in three classes. The First Class medal was a white enameled Maltese cross with two pointed ends and a similar red enameled cross in the angles. The center was gold for first class, silver for second class, and bronze for third class.

The Honduras Air Force Flying Cross and the Honduras Cross of Military Merit are two more examples of a N.S. Meyer strikes. The Flying Cross was awarded to air force personnel for service above and beyond the call of duty and came in three classes, gold, silver, and bronze. The Military Cross was awarded to members of the armed forces for distinguished conduct and long service. Blue and white are the national colors of Honduras.

Another unique medal is the Medal of Honor. Exhibiting a unique 50mm x 39mm gold heart with a red enameled center makes it similar to the United States Purple Heart. The medal is awarded to members of the armed forces wounded in the line of duty.

Cuba instituted its first order of Military Merit in 1912 and was awarded for acts of heroism, lifesaving and importance to the Armed Forces. Early versions of the medal came in the form of a four-arm Bath cross with eight-balled tipped points with a black disc and enameled arms. After Batista come to power in 1933, the enamel was eliminated with the exception of the obverse disc. Examples of this third class variant are seen with blue, green, and purple centers each representing its own distinctive merit. Blue was given for good conduct, purple for bravery in combat, and green for special services.

Ecuador gained its independence from Spain in 1822, but did not become an independent republic until 1830 when it succeeded from the Confederation of Gran Columbia. Following its independence, Ecuador as well as many other South America countries, suffered from internal instability between liberals and conservatives. It was only after World War II that a large number of the military’s highest awards were instituted. The highest civil award is the National Order of Merit Commander. It is bestowed on Ecuadorean and foreign citizens for extraordinary service to the nation. This beautiful award has a 65mm circular medal of 12 red enamel rays or arms with a green enamel wreath interlaced between each arm in succession. The gold center disc has the seal of Ecuador and the words “Al Merito”. The suspension is a gold shaped wreath.

Equally impressive is the Ecuador Commander Moran Valverde Medal for Naval Merit and awarded for meritorious service in the navy in peacetime. First authorized June 21, 1994, the award is a 60mm x 60mm blue-enameled four arm cross with silver edges and three ball-tipped points. A silver wreath appears in the angles. The obverse disc has the emblem of the Navy in a blue field.

The Ecuadorian Navy is responsible for the protection and surveillance of a vast and far out into the Pacific. The Ecuadorian Navy Cross of Honor and Discipline is a 53mm x 50mm bronze Maltese cross that has flat ends with a center semicircle. The center disc includes an anchor with an eagle above on an enameled field. The medal is awarded for discipline, loyalty, exemplary conduct and outstanding acts in peacetime to over 9,000 naval personnel. The medal comes in three classes: gold, silver, and bronze.

A second Naval award with a blue and white background ribbon called the La Estrella de Plata Medal (Silver Star medal) is seen as an eight arm silver star with an obverse enameled disc with a view of a mountain and ship with the sun above in band of zodiac symbols within a wreath. The exact purpose of the medal is not known.

Peru is a southern neighbor of Ecuador and one that shares the Pacific coast of South America. Peru’s independence was proclaimed in Lima, July 28, 1821. While Peru began issuing medals shortly after independence, ongoing struggles with royalist forces often had early medals being issued to soldiers from other Latin American countries who participated. Most of the medals currently available, like other South American countries, were instituted after WWII.

The country’s highest military award is the Military Order of Ayacucho. Instituted in 1944, the order is awarded to military and national security personnel for extraordinary military merit. Our officer example (below right) is a 30mm x 40mm medal with a unique design: a vertical red rectangle with the bust of Bolivar superimposed on a laurel wreath with a white background superimposed on a horizontal bar. Flags appear to the left and right with eight gold rays. The officer or knight’s version is suspended from a trophy suspension.

Another Peruvian award is the Peruvian Cross for Military Merit. Instituted in February of 1949, the medal is awarded to members of the Armed forces for distinguished service in defense of the nation. This officer version medal has a central disc of Colonel Bolognesi who is considered the Patron of the Army. The obverse disc is surrounded by a green-enameled wreath imposed on a straight arm cross pate with convex ends in silver. Five silver rays reach between the four arms. The suspension is a 25mm green-enameled laurel wreath.

With a long Pacific Ocean coastline, Peru’s Navy is of great importance. Two examples of Peru Naval awards are the Cross of Naval Merit and the Combatiente Especial. The Peruvian Cross for Naval Merit was instituted in 1946 and awarded for extraordinary naval merit. It may be conferred on Peruvian or foreign nationals. It came in four classes; our example is considered a knight or 3rd class version.

The Combatiente Especial grew out of a Peru and Ecuador Border War of 1941 in a dispute on Peru’s poorly marked border with Ecuador. The two countries fought several skirmishes but quickly came to a cease-fire. The medal was issued to men who fought in that war and came in three classes , one marked Combatiente, one marked Combatiente Especial, an 3rd Combatiente Externo. The main difference was in the ribbon design and reverse inscription.

Chile proclaimed its independence from Spain on Feb. 12, 1818 although its early history is one of domestic instability. In the 19th century, Chile became militarily involved with Peru three times; twice as enemies during the War of Confederation and the War of the Pacific, and once as allies during the Chincha Island War against Spain. Chile created its current Order of Merit in 1929 in various grades. We show the Commander version of the Order in the form of a gilt, five-pointed star with ball finials in white enamel. A laurel wreath appears behind the star and the obverse center shows a female figure (a symbol of republican government). Inscribed “Republica De Chile” and is seen with a striking 60mm condor with down-turned wings which leads to a dramatic overall appearance.

In Chile’s history, one set of medals is associated with an award to many officers and men who participated in the overthrow of the democratically-elected government of President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973. Called the Decoration for Distinguished Services, the medals were issued to all four branches of the Armed forces. The Award has a five-pointed oxidized copper star from a bar suspended from a ribbon with stripes (one, two or three denoting class). The army is represented by a red-orange ribbon, the navy by dark blue, the air force by light blue, and carabineros by dark green.

Venezuela proclaimed its independence on July 5, 1811, but like many developed a complex history of civil war and became a battleground for regional caudillos or leaders. It would not be until 1958, when Romulo Betancourt was elected president, that Venezuela managed to break its long history of caudillo rule.

Most of the following examples are from this period. Two examples are Cross for Land Forces(L) and the Cross of the National Guard (R). Our example of the Cross for Land Forces is considered a 2nd variant and is seen a ball tipped, red enamel Maltese cross with double concave ends with a central disc inscribed Honor Al Merito surrounded by a green enameled disc. It is awarded for distinguished service in the Army. The Cross of the National Guard is conferred on members of the National Guard for outstanding service. This white enameled, gilt-edged Maltese Cross with two-pointed ends is attached to a half wreath. The red central disc shows the Arms of the Venezuelan National Guard.

Examples of more recent origin include the Military Order of General Rafael Urdaneta instituted in 1946 and the Military Order of General Jose Antonio Paez instituted in 1969. Both are variations of the same medal issued to Generals, superior and junior officers for meritorious and long service in the Armed Forces. Both medals came in three classes: Gold Medal for 30 years of service, Silver Medal for 20 year of service, and Bronze for 10 years of service). Rafael Urdaneta was a Venezuelan general and Jose Antonio Paez was a Venezuelan leader.

Our final examples are of two Venezuela Orders and two of the highest awards of the country. They are the Order of the Liberator and the Order of Francisco de Miranda. (R) The Order of the Liberator is Venezuela’s highest official award and first created in 1854. Some early decrees referred to it as the “bust of the Liberator”. It is given to civilian and military personnel, both national and foreign, for service to Venezuela. The oval shaped medal with 28 two-pointed rays has the bust of Bolivar inside a blue enamel oval inscribed “Simon Bolivar” with laurel branches below.

The Order of Francisco de Miranda is awarded to Venezuelan citizens and foreign nationals for exceptional Merit in science, progress of the country, and the humanities, or for outstanding merit. The bust of Francisco de Miranda is found in the central oval disc with eight two-pointed rays joined by a band in the form of a Maltese Cross. It is a later authorization as a major award by Congressional decree in 1943 as compared to the early establishment of the Order of the Liberator.

Our samples are but a few of many awards within each country telling something about the history of each nation.