Bundesverdienstkreuz

The Bundesverdienstkreuz (the official name is Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, "Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany") is the only general Order of Merit of the Federal Republic Of Germany. It has 8 classes, in ascending order:

• Verdienstmedaille (Medal of Merit)
• Verdienstkreuz am Bande (Cross of Merit on ribbon)
  international: Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross)
• Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Cross of Merit, First class)
  international: Offizierkreuz (Officer's Cross)
• Großes Verdienstkreuz (Halskreuz) (Great Cross of Merit, neck cross)
  international: Komturkreuz (Commander's Cross)
• Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern (Great Cross of Merit with star)
  international: Großoffizierkreuz (Great Officer's Cross)
• Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband (Great Cross of Merit with Star and shoulder ribbon)
  international: Großkreuz 2. Klasse (Grand Cross of Merit, Second class)
• Großkreuz (Grand Cross)
• Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Special degree of the Grand Cross)

Only a head of state can be awarded with the highest class.

Except for the lowest class, the cross has slightly different versions for men and women (slighty smaller medal and ribbon for women).

External link:

• http://www.bundespraesident.de/Downloads/Verdienstorden2.pdf (german text, with pictures of all classes)
• http://www.hdg.de/Final/deu/page23.htm (german text, pictures of all classes, plus some other medals)