SMGN-1750 Yugoslavian Order of Military Merit. 1 Class of General Mirko Jovanovic

Not to be confused with the common and similar looking second and third classes. This was part of the full collection of awards from General Mirko Jovanovic. Of course, there is really no proof of this outside of my word and the word of the original seller…but it did come with some very rare awards, so there is little doubt that it was his. Here is the box opening video with all the medals https://youtu.be/UzlZQmjSLSI

This particular example does have one of the rivets popped and the center roundel is held in place with some thread. Upon inspection you will find it and easy fix with a bit of silver solder.

We decided to leave it as it was acquired.

(Orden za Vojne Zasluge). Instituted on December 29th, 1951. (c. 1960). A scarce award of multi-piece construction in silver, silver gilt, and red enamels, the obverse consisting of a 16-ray silver star with a central gilt medallion bearing a green enameled laurel wreath, with a central shield bearing a red enameled five-pointed star, topped by a red enameled set of flames with crossed swords going through the center, the reverse plain, with a tall barrel hinge, a tapered broad vertical pinback, and a broad wire catch, hallmarked with a rooster surrounded by a “B” and “II” (900 silver), measuring 69.3 mm (w) x 69.0 mm (l), weighing 81.00 grams, with pleasant dark patina from age and wear.

Order of Military Merit (serbohorv. Voјne Order of merit / Orden za vojne zasluge, Makkedah. Order for Military Merit, Slovenes. Red za vojaške zasluge) – Award of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Awarded for military merit.

description

 The Order was established by the Presidium of the National Assembly of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia 29 December 1951 together with a medal. Order is awarded to senior and senior officers who by their example and hard work to develop military business to achieve the objectives of military formations, or to create conditions for achieving victory and great success, as well as civilian personnel of military units and military organizations, which, thanks to his personal example contributed to the development of military affairs or helped to accomplish important tasks.

 Act of March 1, 1961 were established three degrees of the Order: I degree with a big star (awarded 2609 people), II degree with Golden Swords (awarded 24141 people) and Grade III with silver swords (awarded 94,684 people). Medal awarded to 87,699 people.