The military class differed by featuring a red stripe on the green and gold ribbon.

There were five classes of the order: The incumbent President of Rhodesia served as Grand Master of the Legion of Merit.

It was retained by the government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia as well, the President of that state also serving as Grand Master.

The Legion of Merit was superseded in April 1981[1] by the Zimbabwe Order of Merit, which is awarded to civilians as well as military personnel for eminent achievement and services to Zimbabwe.

While the higher grades of the order were used almost exclusively by Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front government to reward political service, recipients of the lower and middle grades included a number of notable military leaders, community leaders and civil servants.