The National Order of Honour and Merit () is the highest honour of merit awarded by the President of the Republic of Haiti. The Order was instituted on 28 May 1926 and is awarded in five grades to both Haitians and foreign nationals. The award is given to acknowledge distinction in not only the realms of diplomacy and politics but also the arts, charitable works and other fields of benefit or interest to Haiti. Award The award is a white enamel Maltese cross with laterally-pierced ball suspension. The face has a circular central medallion bearing the arms of Haiti within a blue enamel ring inscribed with the words, ‘Medaille Honneur et Merite’. The reverse with a circular central medallion is inscribed with ‘République D'Haïti’ within a blue enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘Liberte Egalite Fraternite’. Grades Recipients J. Hunter Guthrie Grand Crosses; Tsai Ing-wen Francisco Franco Mauril Bélanger Kenneth H. Merten Smedley Butler Sean Penn Commanders; Ben Moreell References Orders, decorations, and medals of Haiti Awards established in 1926