The Order of Military Merit (Hangul: 무공훈장, Hanja: 武功勳章) is the primary military decoration awarded by the South Korean government.
The order is awarded in one of five classes, as follows.
1st class: 太極, Taegeuk (Taegeuk Cordon or Grand Cordon) – Taegeuk Cordon of the Order of Military Merit is the highest decoration for military bravery and valour awarded by the government of South Korea. Members of the armed forces of South Korea, as well of its allies, are eligible for the award.
Douglas MacArthur – General of the Army, United States Army
Chappy Hakim – Air Chief Marshal, Indonesian Air Force
Young-Oak Kim – Colonel, United States Army
Homer Litzenberg – General, United States Marine Corps
William Westmoreland – General, United States Army
Frank Fort Everest – General, United States Air Force
Horace Robertson – Lieutenant General, Australian Army
Bill Speakman VC – Sergeant, British Army
Lee Han-Lim;- Lieutenant General, Republic of Korea Army
2nd class: 乙支, Eulji (Field Marshal Lord Eulji Cordon)
Pham Van Dong – General, Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam
Chesty Puller – Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps
William P. Yarborough – Lieutenant General, United States Army
3rd class: 忠武, Chungmu (Lord High Admiral Chungmu Cordon)
Han Moo-hyup – Major General, Republic of Korea Army
Alfredo M. Santos – General, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. – Admiral, United States Navy
Phan Hoa Hiep – General, Armed Forces Republic of Vietnam
Denis Earp - Lieutenant General, South African Air Force
4th class: 花郞, Hwarang (Youth Military Corps Cordon)
Major Steven Vorhees Boylan (later Col. US Army retired) For direct support of the 10th Korean "Meng Ho" Division in the central coast region of Viet Nam in 1966.
Sergeant First Class Richard E. Falk (Love Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division) For valor during 17-18 April 1953 in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, Republic of Korea. History of this battle is described in S.L.A. Marshall's book, Pork Chop Hill. SFC Falk also received the Silver Star (G.O. #245 Hq. 7th Infantry Div.) and the Purple Heart. He was the youngest First Sgt. in training Company G, 123rd Infantry Regt, Ft. Lewis, WA, 1953. Montana resident, currently living in Hamilton, MT
5th class: 仁憲, Inheon (Field Marshal Lord Inheon Cordon)
Yoon Jang-ho – (Ha-sa) Staff Sergeant, Republic of Korea Armed Forces
