Type Medal Next (higher) King's Medal of Merit | Established 17 March 1939 Next (lower) War Medal | |
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Awarded for outstanding services rendered in connection with the spreading of information about Norway abroad and for strengthening the bonds between expatriate Norwegians and their home country Related | ||
The St. Olav's Medal and the St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch were instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway on 17 March 1939. They are awarded in recognition of "outstanding services rendered in connection with the spreading of information about Norway abroad and for strengthening the bonds between expatriate Norwegians and their home country".
The medals are in silver, surmounted by the Royal Crown. On the obverse is the portrait of the reigning King with his name and motto. On the reverse, St. Olav's cross. Above the medal is the monogram of the reigning King. It is worn on the left side of the breast with the ribbon of the Order of St. Olav. The medal ranks 9th in the order of precedence of Norwegian medals.
When awarded for services rendered in wartime, the medal carries an oak branch and ranks 6th in the order of precedence of Norwegian medals.