The Order was established by the Presidency of the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the People's Liberation of Yugoslavia by decree of June 9, 1945, along with the Medal "For Services to the People." The Order had three classes: 1st class with a gold star, 2nd class with silver rays, and 3rd class with a silver star. The design of the Order and Medal was designed by Đorđe Andrejević-Kun. The Order was awarded to individuals for outstanding achievements in the construction of the socialist state, the organization and maintenance of national security, and services to economics, science, and culture. By the end of 1986, 5,568 people had been awarded the Order of the 1st class, 39,534 the Order of the 2nd class, 282,864 the Order of the 3rd class, and 430,666 the Medal.This Order of Merit, Second Class in the original box.