Certificate of Merit Medal

BACK DEVICE(s) none

Description:

1. Authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1847.
2. The Certificate of Merit Medal replaced the much older Certificate of Merit which was authorized by the United States Congress on March 3, 1847. 
3. The certificate of Merit was first awarded during the War with Mexico (1846 – 1848) and after the civil war from 1874 – 1892 to enlisted members who demonstrated extraordinary gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
4. From 1892 – 1918 the criteria was changed to “distinguished service whether in action or otherwise, of valuable character to the United States”.
5.  The original Certificate of Merit was issued to 539 Army soldiers during the Mexican War. The first certificates were only authorized for Privates and it was not until 1854 that the Certificate of Merit was awarded to NCOs the rank of Sergeant and above. The Certificate of Merit was never authorized for officers. 
6. The Certificate of Merit Medal was declared obsolete on July 19, 1918. Those holding the Certificate of Merit Medal could exchange theirmedal for the newly created Distinguished Service Medal.
7. In 1934, Congress changed the regulation allowing the conversion of the medal to the Distinguished Service Cross, including those converted to theDistinguished Service Medal.

Background:

1. The Medal
   1. The obverse is bronze medallion with a Roman war eagle with wings partly displayed. The eagle is surrounded by the Latin inscription “VIRTUTIS ET AUDACIAE MONUMENTUM ET PRAEMIUM”. The inscription means “courage and virtue are their own reward and monument.”
   2. The reverse shows "UNITED STATES ARMY" arced across the top.  There are 13 stars arced across the bottom.  In the center  are the words "FOR MERIT" wrapped with a wreath of oak leaves tied with a bow.The Medal
   3. The ribbon is one and three-eighths inches long composed with colors in the order of blue, white, red, white, red, white, blue.
2. Though the Army was of the position that it no longer had the authority to award the Certificate of Merit, commanders in the field continued to recommend soldiers for the award, but the Army did not act on the nominations. Following the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876, the Certificate of Merit was re-introduced.