Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand

The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand (Spanish: Real y Militar Orden de San Fernando) is a Spanish military order of chivalry, the decoration of which, the Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand (Spanish: Cruz Laureada de San Fernando), is Spain's highest military decoration for gallantry.

Membership of the order, which is sometimes abbreviated RMOSF, is awarded in recognition of action, either individual or collective, to protect the nation, its citizens, or the peace and security of the international community in the face of immediate risk to the bearer.

The Sovereign of the Order of San Fernando is the monarch of Spain,[2] who presides over the biennial chapter held in the Royal Monastery of El Escorial.

The sovereign's representative in the Order is the Grand Master,[3] who governs it and is aided by the Maestranza.

[4] Its awardees include Marcelo Azcárraga Palmero, Juan Prim, Juan de la Cruz Mourgeón, Francisco de Albear, José Enrique Varela Iglesias (twice awarded, in 1920, and 1921), Francisco Serrano y Domínguez, Frederick Thomas Pelham, Henry Kelly (VC), Martín Cerezo,[5] Francisco Franco Bahamonde, and Mohamed Meziane.

The Laureate Cross