A replica of the "Pour le Merite" otherwise known as the "Blue Max" .It is an extinct order of merit established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. The order of merit was the highest royal Prussian order of bravery for officers of all ranks. The Pour le Mérite was awarded strictly as a recognition of extraordinary personal achievement, rather than as a general marker of social status or a courtesy-honour. Flying aces Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke were the first airmen to receive the award, on 12 January 1916. It was awarded to Germany's highest-scoring ace, Manfred von Richthofen, in January 1917. Hermann Göring, decorated as an ace pilot for continuous courage in action in June 1918, finishing World War I with 22 air victories and later the third and final commander of Jagdgeschwader I.