Belgian Military Decoration for Long Service (Militair Ereteken voor Dienstanciënniteit) (Price Per Piece)

Original Belgian Military Decoration for Long Service (Militair Ereteken voor Dienstanciënniteit / Décoration Militaire). The Military Decoration (Militair Ereteken) is an official Belgian military award established by Royal Decree on 22 December 1873. It is awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel and exists in two distinct categories, each recognizing different forms of service. Informative: Belgian Military Decoration comes in two versions: 1. Long Service (Dienstanciënniteit) Awarded to NCOs and enlisted personnel Second Class: after 10 years of service First Class: after an additional 5 years Not awarded to officers (who instead receive the Military Cross) 2. Exceptional Service / Gallantry (Buitengewone Dienst) Awarded for acts of courage, devotion, or distinguished service Can be granted for a single notable act Also awarded to naval personnel after 20 years of service at sea May exceptionally be awarded in First Class Can be awarded to foreign non-commissioned personnel All awards are granted by Royal Decree and officially published in the Belgian State Gazette. Design & Characteristics The decoration is identical across both categories and classes: Form: Cross pattée with four rays between each arm, surmounted by a royal crown Obverse: Belgian lion with the motto: “L’Union fait la Force” (pre-1952) “L’Union fait la Force – Eendracht maakt macht” (post-1952) Reverse: Pre-1952: Royal monogram (Leopold II, Albert I, or Leopold III) with “Armée Mérite Ancienneté” Post-1952: Belgian lion only Ribbon Variants The two categories are distinguished by their ribbons: Long Service:17 narrow vertical stripes in Belgian national colors (red, yellow, black), with red on the outer edges Exceptional Service / Gallantry:Red ribbon with Belgian tricolor edges (red outermost) Additional distinctions: First Class: indicated by a chevron on the ribbon Wartime award (Article 4): may include a silver palm with royal monogram Order of Precedence & Wear Worn after the decorations of the National Orders Takes precedence over the Military Cross (as it was established earlier) If both categories are awarded, the gallantry version takes precedence NCOs promoted to officer rank may continue to wear the decoration until eligible for the Military Cross A highly collectible and historically important Belgian decoration, valued for both its longevity and its dual recognition of service and bravery. Note: Price Per Piece! The one with the wrong ribbon (on the right, will be discounted to 10 EUR instead of 15 EUR – if you want this one, add it in the purchase note)