Certificate of Merit

Certificate of Merit Medal
Obverse and reverse of the Certificate of Merit Medal
Awarded by United States Army
Type	Military medal (Decoration)
Status	Obsolete
Statistics
Established	March 3, 1847
Last awarded	May 1918 (Last recognized act) May 1919 (Last medal presented)
Total awarded	1,211
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Honor
Equivalent	Distinguished Service Cross
Next (lower)	Campaign and medals
Certificate of Merit Medal ribbon

The Certificate of Merit Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army that was issued between the years of 1905 and 1918. The Certificate of Merit Medal replaced the much older Certificate of Merit which was authorized by the United States Congress on March 3, 1847.

The system of military awards and decorations presented to members of the United States Military can trace its lineage to the Badge of Military Merit. This military award, established by George Washington, was given in recognition of soldiers who displayed unusual gallantry or extraordinary fidelity. Awarded three times during the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit was not awarded again. Thus, for more than 50 years the United States Military had no official military decorations.

The original Certificate of Merit was authorized by an Act of Congress related to the expansion of the US Army during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). The legislation authorized brevets to non-commissioned officers and for privates who distinguished themselves in service "the President may in like manner grant him a certificate of merit, which shall entitle him to additional pay at the rate of two dollars per month." This was a step forward in the recognition of the individual contributions of soldiers. 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. It was issued to 545 soldiers during the Mexican–American War. After the war, the Certificate of Merit was discontinued.

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 reintroduced.