June 10, 20224 yr #1 The Service Medal for Natives was instituted on November 4,1892 by King Leopold II, in his capacity as Sovereign of the independent Congo Free State The medal was initially awarded in a single class for good and loyal services by native Congolese. Recipients could be military, members of the Force Publique or civilians. The Type 8 was awarded for exceptional merit. There are eight types of this medal, reflecting different sovereigns: Leopold II version 1892-1912 Albert I version 1912-1937 Leopold III (the young Leopold III, designed by G. Devreese) 1937-1953 (as depicted) Leopold III (the older Leopold III, designed by E. Brackenier and issued concurrently with Type 3) 1937-1953 Baudouin with glasses, French language only version, on both obverse and reverse, 1953-1955 Baudouin without glasses, French language only on both obverse and reverse, 1953-1955 Baudouin without glasses and no legend on the obverse, with a bilingual French and Flemish reverse, 1955-1960 Baudouin, identical to the Baudouin third type, but with crown suspension, 1955-1960.
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