Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) An award or recognition given to something that does not make it to a higher standing but is worth mentioning in an honorable way.
WordNet
n. an official recognition of merit; "although he didn't win the prize he did get special mention" [syn: mention]
Wikipedia
The Honorable Mention was an important Military awards and decorations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for those who distinguished themselves by acts of high bravery, but weren't eligible yet for the highest accolade of the Military William Order. The Honorable Mention was in fact not a medal but a mention in the proclamation of the Dutch army, to honor the soldier.
Since the mention was important in the process to be made an actual knight of the Military William Order, the Honorable Mentions were registered in the chapter of the Military William Order.
In the first instance no decoration was associated with this Honorable Mention, although unofficially soldiers used a small decorative metal wreath worn above their other decorations and medals. These decorative wreaths are primarily known to be used during the Ten days campaign (August 2 – August 12, 1831) and the Java War (1825-1830).
In 1877 King William III decided by royal decree that soldiers with an Honorable Mention were allowed to wear a silver crown on the ribbon or ribbon bar of the Dutch "Decoration for Important Military Acts" as decoration, together with a Roman numeral in case of multiple mentions. Hundreds of soldiers in the former Netherlands East Indies were awarded with these Honorable Mentions.
Shortly before the start of the Second World War the law regarding the Military William Order was reorganized, and as result that the Honorable Mention was abolished. Although the mention didn't have an official status anymore since then, on the ribbon or ribbon bars of the Bronze Cross or the Airman's Cross still a decorative crown for Honorable Mention was worn, however now in gold.
With the royal decree on 30 March 1944 Queen Wilhemina created the Bronze Lion as high bravery award and finally replaced the Honorable Mention.
Category:Military awards and decorations of the Netherlands
Usage examples of "honorable mention".
He had handed in a rather impersonal and not at all revolutionary, but solid and elegant piece of work whose value he knew, and he was prepared for an honorable mention or a third or second prize.
But it felt very good to remember the real indignation on his face when the Montegeau necklace was awarded an Honorable Mention “.
The Council decrees that honorable mention be made of the affidavits brought forward in the accusation.
And the Free Lunch in the Mutt is always entitled to honorable mention.
You would probably receive honorable mention, and that might perhaps benefit your profession too.
Just think, you'll get honorable mention in the numerous books they'll write about me when I'm famous.
This bird was a godsend to us, and I should be an ingrate if I forgot to make honorable mention of him in these pages.
Carl Withers was once Maggody's main claim to fame, when he won all-district honorable mention in football.