Croatia, Independent State. An Order of Merit, I Class Badge, Christian Version visually-hidden Stitched onto the peak of

Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a dark navy blue rayon trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika

100 mm x 226 mm)

As other components of the set have not survived

with the Americans recapturing areas in their wake

constructed of gilded bronze and measuring 65 mm (w) x 33 mm (h)

Croatia, Independent State. An Order of Merit, I Class Badge, Christian Version visually-hidden Stitched onto the peak of(Red za zasluge). Instituted in 1942. In silver with red enamels, reverse inscribed 10. IV. ZA ZASLUGE 1942., measuring 44. 3 mm (w) x 47. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, intact enamels, on replacement neck ribbon, extremely fine. Footnote: The Order of Merit was instituted on April 10, 1942 and awarded in four grades: Grand Cross, I Class, II Class and III Class, with separate insignia for Christian and Moslem recipients.