Order of Merit (Jamaica)

The Order of Merit is part of the Jamaican honours system, and it is the fourth-highest honour awarded by the nation of Jamaica. The Order of Merit is conferred upon Jamaicans or distinguished citizens of other countries who have achieved international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour.^[1] The award can be held by no more than 15 living persons.^[2] It is not given to more than two people in any one year.^[1]

Order of Merit
Awarded for	Eminent international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour
Presented by	Jamaica
Eligibility	Citizens of Jamaica and foreigners
Post-nominals	OM
Motto	"He that does truth comes into the light"
Status	Currently awarded
Ribbon of the order
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Excellence
Next (lower)	Order of Jamaica

Members and Honorary Members of the order are entitled to wear the insignia of the order as a decoration and to be styled "The Honourable". In addition, they can append the post-nominal letters OM to their names, or OM (Hon.) in the case of Honorary Members. The order's motto is "He that does the truth comes into the light."

The Order of Merit was originally one that was awarded to foreign heads of state, but this function was taken over by the Order of Excellence in 2003.^[3]

Recipients

Source:^[4]

Living

• Donald Jasper Harris (2021)^[5]
• Orlando Patterson (2020)^[6]
• Anthony Abraham Chen (2008)^[7]
• Jimmy Cliff (October 20, 2003)^[8]
• Gerald Lalor^[9]
• Albert Belville Lockhart, co-inventor of Canasol^[10][11]
• Sir Meredith Alister McIntyre^[12]
• Mervyn Morris^[13]
• Edward Robinson (2008)^[7]
• Sir Willard White (2000)^[14]

Deceased

• Bunny Wailer^[15]
• Louise Bennett-Coverley (2001)^[16]
• William Knibb (1845) ^[12]
• Thomas Lecky^[12]
• The Most Honourable Edna Manley (1980)^[17]
• The Most Honourable Michael Manley^[12]
• Bob Marley (February 1981)^[18]
• Herb McKenley (2004)^[19]
• Rex Nettleford^[20]
• Mary Seacole (1990, posthumously)^[21]
• Sir Philip Manderson Sherlock (1989)^[22]
• M. G. Smith (1972)^[23]
• Carl Stone (1993)^[24]
• Peter Tosh (2012, posthumously)^[25]
• Cicely Williams^[12]
• Fidel Castro^[26]
• Sir Derek Walcott^[12]
• Manley Elisha West, co-inventor of Canasol^[10][11]
• Sir Shridath Ramphal