Miniature gilt-edged white enamel Maltese cross, the arms with blue enamel panels, on circular gilt and green enamel wreath suspension; the face with a circular central blue enamel medallion bearing a gilt lion rampant holding an upright sword within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘BATALLON GUARDIA PRESIDENCIAL’; the reverse plain gilt with a circular central medallion inscribed ‘EN / DEFENSA / DEL HONOR / HASTA LA / MUERTE’ (in defence of honour, even unto death); diameter 15.82mm (0.62 inch); on a scrap of original correct ribbon. The Medal was instituted by Resolution 3446 of 17 August 1955 of the Ministry of War and revised by Decree 1880 in 1988 to be awarded ‘a recompensar la lealtad, servicios distinguidos e intachable conducta de los miembros del Batallón Guardia Presidencial’ (to recognise loyalty, distinguished service and impeccable conduct by members of the Presidential Guard Battalion). The 37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion, based at the Casa de Nariño in Bogotá, traces its origins to the infantry guards company raised by Simón Bolívar during the wars of liberation of 1815. Today it consists of five companies, an historical company an artillery battery to fire salutes, a military band, a fanfare trumpet section and a corps of drums. The Medal is rare.
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