The Merit Cross was to be returned to the state upon the award of a higher level decoration.
In the year 1998 she was awarded with the Federal Cross of Merit.
In 2003 he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit.
A day after his death, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit.
For that she was awarded with the Golden Cross of Merit in 1981.
In 1959 he received the Federal Cross of Merit.
All awards of the Merit Cross were to be returned to the state upon the death of the recipient.
For her sport achievements, she received Golden Cross of Merit in 2005.
For his sport achievements, he received the Golden Cross of Merit in 2006.
In 2007, he was honoured with the Golden Cross of Merit.