In Superb Condition 58mm wide rayed, faceted eight-pointed silver star; the face with a gilt-edged white enamel Latin cross surmounted by a silver band and a silver-gilt civic crown of the Franco era, a circular medallion in red, white, and blue enamel and gilt metal imposed centrally bearing an escutcheon quarterly of Castile and Léon with Granada overall, the gilt tower of Castile above left and below right, the gilt lion of Léon above right and below left; the reverse plain with domed rivets & 3 pins for wear.
History

The Cross of Military Merit (Spanish: Cruces del Mérito Militar) is Spain‘s award for gallantry or merit in war or peace. Awarded to members of the Spanish Armed Forces, Guardia Civil , or civilians.

Established on 3 August 1864 by Queen Isabella II as the Order of Military Merit (Spanish: Orden del Mérito Militar), it has been amended many times (in 1918, 1926, 1931, 1938, 1942, 1976, 1995, 2003, and 2007). Both sides of the conflict recognized it during the Spanish Civil War. Awarded originally in four classes, in 1995, it lost the rank of an order of merit, and the classes were reduced to two, and the number of categories extended to four.

According to the current regulations, the decoration is conferred in the following classes:

• Grand Cross– to generals, admirals or civilian personnel of equivalent rank;

• Cross–to other officers, warrant officers, enlisted ranks, or equivalent civilian personnel.

The categories are as follows:

• with Red Decoration(con distintivo rojo) – for courage, actions, deeds or service during an armed conflict or military operations that involve or may involve the use of armed force and may require significant military or command skills; since 2007 it can be awarded to for acts of gallantry while on an overseas mission and to soldiers fallen during such a mission;

• with Blue Decoration(con distintivo azul) – for actions, events or extraordinary services, including operations resulting from a mandate of the United Nations or of other international organizations;

• with Yellow Decoration(con distintivo amarillo) – for actions, deeds or service that involve high personal risk and in cases of serious injury or death resulting from such actions or services;

• with White Decoration(con distintivo blanco) – for actions, deeds, or distinguished service during missions or ordinary or extraordinary service in the armed forces or in connection with the defense of the country.

Multiple awards for each class and category to the same individual are possible.