Westphalian Military Merit Medal for 10 years service, 1809
The Westphalian Military Merit Medal for 10 years service. Issued by King Jerome Napoleon 1807-1813
Description
Instituted in 1809. An oval, silver medal, the obverse centre presents a trophy of arms consisting of a breast plate through which passes a club supporting a helmet, two flags, one pennant with spear, a musket barrel with bayonet, two cannons and two piles of seven cannon balls, circumscribed by the inscription FUR TAPFERKEIT UND GUTES BETRAGEN, the reverse centre presents the intertwined initials HN for Hieronimus Napoleon, within a wreath of oak and laurel, under the imperial crown with the date 1809.
History & Context
The Westphalian Military Merit Medal (Militärverdienstmedaille) was established two grades by royal decree on June 16, 1809, by King Jérôme Bonaparte of the Kingdom of Westphalia.
Created to reward non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers for exceptional bravery and conduct (für Tapferkeit und gutes Betragen).
The silver grade required 10 years of military service, while the gold grade required 30 years of service (or either grade for distinction in wartime).
Worn on the left breast at the height of the third buttonhole.
Design
Obverse: Featured the initials HN (Hieronymus Napoleon) under a royal crown inside an oak and laurel wreath, along with the date 1809.
Reverse: Displayed a trophy of arms consisting of a breastplate, a club supporting a helmet, flags, a musket with a bayonet, and cannons flanked by piles of cannonballs, bordered by the inscription FÜR TAPFERKEIT UND GUTES BETRAGEN.
The medal was discontinued in 1813 alongside the collapse of the Westphalian government.
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