The Pour la vertu militaire (Fr.

The order, modelled on the Prussian Pour le Mérite, could be awarded in a single class to officers of Hessian army or allied armies for wartime or peacetime military merit.

When awarded for peacetime merit, only officers from major upwards were eligible.

In 1820 the French name was changed to German: Militär-Verdienstorden (Order of Military Merit).

It was discontinued in 1866, after the annexation of Hessen-Kassel by the Kingdom of Prussia.