The Red Cross Medal of Merit was instituted in 1912, it was awarded by the Board of the Red Cross Society, with the approval of the Chancellor of Royal Orders, for exceptional merit and services rendered to the Serbian Red Cross in time of war or peace, and for care and assistance to the sick and wounded, philanthropy and personal merit. The Medal of Merit was awarded in two Classes (Silver Medal and Bronze Medal). It was first awarded in 1912 during the First Bakan War, In 1933 the awarding of the Bronze Medal ceased and a senior Class of Gold Medal was introduced to replace it.