History

The Cross and Medal of Socabaya (Medalla y Cruz por Socabaya) was instituted by the government of Bolivia in 1836, in recognition of the Bolivian forces under command of General Andrés de Santa Cruz which defeated General Felipe Santiago de Salaverry at the Battle of Socabaya on February 7, 1836.

The Battle of Socabaya was an engagement between the forces of General Felipe Santiago de Salaverry and the troops under command of General Andrés de Santa Cruz over whether Peru and Bolivia should be united, as they were under Spanish rule. After the triumph of Santa Cruz, the confederation between Bolivia and Peru was consolidated.

It was authorized several designs of this Medal that differ on the reverse features.

It is not clear neither the composition or the design of the Medal denotethe rank of the recipient.