Lebanon
French Period and Related French MedalsThe French mandate of Syria and Lebanon lasted from 1920 until the mid-1940s. In 1926 Lebanon became an independent republic under French control. It gained full independence on November 22, 1943.
Order of Lebanese Merit (French Issue) - 1922-1959
The Order was initially established to recognize acts of courage and devotion in 1922 during the French mandate over Lebanon. It was initially composed of four classes (gilt, silver, silvered-bronze and bronze). A fifth or exceptional class, equivalent to a Grand Cross, was added in 1930 for presentation to sovereigns and other chiefs-of-state. The Order is in the shape of a round medal with a roaring lion with a protective figure of a Lebanese man. The reverse is inscribed in French, HONOR AND DEVOTION. The ribbon is tri-color (blue, white and red) with the silhouette of a cedar tree on the center of the white stripe.
Lebanese Order of Merit 1st Class and
4th Class Obverse and Reverse