The Order of Merit is the third highest honor conferred by the nation of Jamaica.

Jamaica’s system of Honors and Awards consists of five Orders as well as the Medal of Honour and the Badge of Honour. The Orders are as follows:

· The Order of National Hero

· The Order of the Nation

· The Order of Merit

· The Order of Jamaica

· The Order of Distinction (Commander and Officer ranks)

The OM is conferred upon Jamaicans or a distinguished citizen of another country who has achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, arts, literature or any other endeavor. The award can be held by no more than 15 living persons. There are only five living members of the Order -- Professor Manley West and Dr Albert Lockhart who developed Canasol, a drug for treating glaucoma; dramatist and cultural activist, Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou); Professor Rex Nettleford, the intellectual and dancer who is also vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies and Jimmy Cliff, singer and actor best known for his starring role in the 1970s film “The Harder They Come.” Bob Marley was awarded the Order of Merit in 1981, shortly before his death. The Honourable Ralston Milton Nettleford OM (Jamaica) (b. ... Jimmy Cliff, real name James Chambers (born April 1, 1948) is a Jamaican reggae musician, best known among mainstream audiences for songs like Many Rivers to Cross from The Harder They Come, a film soundtrack which helped break reggae into markets across the world. ... The Harder They Come is a 1972 Jamaican movie starring the reggae singer Jimmy Cliff, who plays Ivanhoe Martin, and directed by Perry Henzel. ... Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley, OM, (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) better known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, guitarist, songwriter and activist. ...