Colombian military decorations

Colombian military decorations date back as far as the founding of the country. An early decoration was the Cruz de Boyacá that was awarded to the generals who led their forces to victory in the Battle of Boyaca in 1819. This early decoration lives on today as an incarnation of the highest order presented by the Colombian state. There is one decoration higher, but it is only awarded for military conflicts in defence of Colombia. Other than military decorations, Colombia presents decorations on behalf of the National Government, decorations for the National Police, and decorations from the Congress of Colombia.

Colombia's highest award, named for the Battle of San Mateo estate during the South American wars of independence, and particularly honoring the sacrifice of Captain Antonio Ricaurte, who sacrificed himself during the battle. The order recognizes military personnel for acts of exceptional valor in time of war (specifically a war to defend Colombia; it is not authorized for civil war, internal disturbance, or international conflict). The decoration is a dark blue Maltese cross w/ball tips, rimmed gold, silver, or iron according to class and resting on a green-enameled laurel wreath; the round purple center medallion bears the bust of Capt. Antonio Ricaurte surrounded by a band inscribed “Ricaurte” above & “1814 - 1914” below. The reverse of the medallion is white, rimmed gold, silver, or iron according to class, inscribed "Colombia - Orden Militar de San Mateo - 1ra (or 2do or 3ca) clase." The cross is suspended by a ring from a ribbon that is half yellow (left) & half equal stripes of blue & red, with an open gold, silver, or iron frame at the top of ribbon. Comes in 3 classes: 1st class -dark blue cross with bright gold rim, finials, & bust; 2nd class -dark blue cross with polished silver rim, finials, & bust; 3rd class -polished iron cross without enamel. The Order was created by Public Law number 40 of 1913 and modified by Decree number 349 of 1914.

The Order of Boyaca is awarded for exceptional services to the armed forces of Colombia, as well as to extraordinary citizens who have not served in the military forces, and is often given in recognition of 50 years military service. The badge of the order is a gold rimmed, dark blue enameled cross pattée with a large gold medallion bearing the profile of Simon Bolivar, surrounded by a blue band inscribed, “Orden de Boyaca" in gold. The star of the order has an enameled copy of the cross on a silver 8-pointed star of multiple rays, with additional “pencils” of rays between the points. The badge is suspended from a blue ribbon with narrow yellow-blue-red edges. Presented in six classes: Gran Cruz Extraordianaria (reserved for Heads of State and President-elects), Gran Cruz, Gran Official, Comendador, Official, Caballero, and Compañero.

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