Ereteken voor Verdienste

The Medal of Merit was established in 1987 and, since 2002, is intended as an expression of appreciation for those who have performed exceptionally or who have made exceptional contributions to the Dutch armed forces.

The Medal of Merit can be awarded in the degrees of bronze, silver and gold, depending on the achievement.

The decoration can be awarded to both Dutch and foreign nationals and also posthumously.

The decoration, made in gold, silver or bronze, consists of the Dutch lion, passing over an inoperative anchor, accompanied by a flying eagle, the head to the right, all in relief within a frame consisting of a narrow edge in the form of six bastions, a blue enameled frame with six ravelins and a narrow border with six large and six small points; on the back also in relief the words "Minister of Defense" and "Kingdom of the Netherlands".

The diameter of the decoration is 45 mm.

The decoration is connected by a ring to a blue moiré ribbon of 37 mm wide with a red strip of 3 mm on the edges, followed by a white strip of 2 mm.