For a description, please refer to bronze Military Merit Medal.
Major Josef Kolbe received the silver Military Merit Medal, with swords, in 1918 on his return from captivity in Italy, on the recommendation of Major General von Phleps and Major General von Laxa in recognition of the exceptional nature of his participation in the fighting on the Isonzo front.
Sources:
War Archives, Vienna: http://www.oesta.gv.at/site/6154/default.aspx