The Military Merit MedalThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 34-35. is a

military decoration Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations award ...

of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) () are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Philippine Army, Army, the Philippine Air Force, Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Navy (including the P ...

. The medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service during, or in support of military action against an enemy.

Criteria

Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may be awarded the Military Merit Medal. Criteria for award varies as it may be awarded "...for heroic achievement in combat or meritorious achievement for service not involving participation in combat, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the Philippines; for a single act of meritorious service either in a duty responsibility or in direct support of military operations." The cited achievement or service is to be accomplished with distinction. The Military Merit Medal may be awarded by the

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) is the highest-ranking military officer (except for the President of the Philippines, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief equivalent to a five-star general) and the he ...

, Area Commanders, and the Commanders of the

Philippine Army The Philippine Army (PA) () is the main, oldest and largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), responsible for ground warfare. , it had an estimated strength of 143,100 soldiers The service branch was established on December ...

Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy (PN) () is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel, including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 91 combat ...

, or

Philippine Air Force The Philippine Air Force (PAF) () is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Initially formed as part of the Philippine Army as the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) in 1935, the PAAC eventually saw combat ...

. Division and major subordinate unit commanders, holding at least the rank of Brigadier General, may also award the medal. The Military Merit Medal may be awarded posthumously to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Under these conditions eligible personnel are those who are killed in action by an enemy of the Philippines, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces, or as a direct result of an act of the enemy.

Description

The medal is irregular in shape, taking the form of a downward pointing

equilateral triangle An equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three sides have the same length, and all three angles are equal. Because of these properties, the equilateral triangle is a regular polygon, occasionally known as the regular triangle. It is the ...

, enameled in red. At each point of the triangle is a gold star. Superimposed in the center of the triangle is the "Philippines sun" in gold with eight pointed rays. A green

laurel wreath A laurel wreath is a symbol of triumph, a wreath (attire), wreath made of connected branches and leaves of the bay laurel (), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. It was also later made from spineless butcher's broom (''Ruscus hypoglossum'') or cher ...

passes around and behind the triangle and is visible between each of the points. The medal is suspended from a green ribbon with 3 central narrow red stripes.

References

Citations

{{reflist

Bibliography

* The AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1995, 1997, OTAG. Military awards and decorations of the Philippines

Criteria

Description

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography