Under The Nazi
government, Germany had a vast assortment of awards and decorations for
military, political and civil service by the time it was defeated in May of
1945. In West Germany, by 1948 a series of laws known as the Ordensgesetz or
'Medal Laws' had been passed determining and finalizing which awards could be
worn and which were prohibited to be worn regarding the decorations of the
previous regime. Medals such as those related to the outlawed NSDAP, SA,SS or
occupational medals reflecting Nazi German expansion were prohibited. By the
mid 1950s, regulations had been issued where versions of World War II awards
were reissued with the swastika emblem removed. These awards and badges
commonly neck orders suspended around the wears neck or varying pocket badges
were phased out in favor of a ribbon bar system reminiscent of Allied
militaries.
For more on the 1957
series awards and decorations see: 1957 Bundeswehr Awards & Decorations
With West Germany's
entry into the NATO Alliance in 1955, the new German government began to slowly
introduce a small number of new awards for service to the German nation. Most
of these were for meritorious service rather than combat related exploits. A series
of awards were also instated for humanitarian and relief efforts as German
soldiers had participated in numerous relief efforts following forest fires and
flooding across West Germany. By the 1970s West German personnel were also
approved for the presentation and awarding of NATO, United Nations and foreign
awards and decorations most commonly those awarded by the United States Armed
Forces.
German personnel are
eligible for awarding of not only military medals and orders but also the wear
of a number of civil service awards,
sports and fitness awards and marksmanship awards.
The Highest award of
West Germany was the Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland or Order of
Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the only federal government presented
award. The award presented in several classes is more commonly referred to as
the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit) and it was first established
in September 1957. There are seven classes of the award with two special
classes and is eligible to be presented to military and civilians alike. The
award is presented for outstanding achievements in the fields of politics,
economics, culture, intellect or volunteering.
The standard design
of the Bundesverdienstkreuz is a gold cross enameled in red with a central disc
bearing a black German federal eagle in the center. The ribbon presented along
with the medal is red with gold, black & gold stripes. The design of the
Federal Merit Cross bears influences of the Imperial Pour le Mérite award also
known as the Blue Max, the highest military award presented by the Kingdom of
Prussia. It was officially created and instated on 7 September 1951 predating
the establishment of the Bundeswehr.
The Order is
presented in four groups with eight classes:
Großkreuz (Grand
Cross)
- Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Grand Cross Special Class) This award is typically awarded to the President of the Federal Republic upon service in the office of President. The only other persons who can hold this decoration are foreign heads of state. It is the highest class of the order. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was presented the award in 1992.
- Großkreuz (Grand Cross 1st Class) The Großkreuz is sometimes presented with laurel wreath which is a special design known as Großkreuz besonderer Ausführung. This award has only been presented twice in German history, both to former German Chancellors: Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl
- Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband (Grand Cross 2nd Class, or Grand Merit Cross with Star and Sash)
- Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern (Grand Officer's Cross, or Grand Merit Cross with Star)
- Großes Verdienstkreuz (Grand Merit Cross) Also commonly referred to as the Commander's Cross
Verdienstkreuz (Merit
Cross)
- Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Merit Cross 1st Class) Also commonly referred to as the Officer's Cross
- Verdienstkreuz am Bande (Merit Cross on Ribbon) Also commonly called the Knight's Cross
Verdienstmedaille
(Merit Medal)
Note it's strong
influences from the Prussian Pour le Mérite and the Third Reich's Ritterkreuz
des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) in the
The Pour le Mérite
(Order for Merit) award of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded from 1740 - 1918.
The Ritterkreuz des
Eisernes Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) award presented by Nazi
Germany from 1939 - 1945.
Other initial
military grades of awards began with the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr (Badges of
Honor of the German Armed Forces) The Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr or Badge of
Honor of the German Armed Forces were first introduced in 1980 on the 25th
anniversary of the armed forces. The awards were created following petitions by
the German people to restore the order of the Iron Cross. These classes of awards are presented for
valor and or meritorious service as well as outstanding achievements or heroic
deeds.
During the Cold War, the Ehrenzeichen der
Bundeswehr was awarded in six grades:
- Ehrenmedaille der Bundeswehr (Medal of Honor) Presented for exemplary service and meritorious service over 7 months or exemplary achievements
- Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Bronze (Bronze Cross of Honor) Presented for exemplary and meritious service over 5 years or exemplary achievements
- Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Silber (Silver Cross of Honor) Presented for exemplary and meritious service over 10 years or exemplary achievements
- Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Silber für besonders herausragende Taten (Silver Cross of Honor for Outstanding Deeds) Presented for outstanding deeds and extraordinary achievements
- Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold (Gold Cross of Honor) Presented for exemplary and meritorious service over 20 years or exemplary achievements
- Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold für besonders herausragende Taten (Gold Cross of Honor for Outstanding Deeds) Presented for outstanding deeds at the risk of one's life
The Medals of Honor
are awarded with a black-red-golden ribbon and a certificate of commendation.
They are worn in full display on the day of the award or on special occasions.
On regular duty they are worn as a ribbon bar. The Ehrenkreuz der
Bundeswehr award series of the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr were established as a response to requests to reinstate
the Order of the Iron Cross in modern German military heraldry.
The Cross of Honor
itself shows a Federal Eagle on a Cross pattée surrounded by a wreath of oak
leaves. It is set against the design of the Iron Cross order.
The original Iron
Cross award as presented as an award of the Kingdom of Prussia during the First
World War
The Iron Cross as
awarded by Nazi Germany to soldiers of the Wehrmacht from 1939 - 1945.
Following the end of the Second World War and the defeat of Germany the award
was abolished.
Of the most famous
awards presented to German personnel are the Schützenschnur (Shooting
Lanyards). The decoration is awarded to German military personnel of all
grades, but is only permitted to be worn by enlisted members. As stated in
German regulations "The Schützenschnur is a decoration for weapons
proficiency for enlisted soldiers." Officers can receive the award,
although it is not currently authorized to be worn on their uniforms. Foreign
military members also may be awarded the badge but the German military
regulation on officers still applies, permitting only the enlisted members to
wear the badge.
It was initially instated
for wear in July 1954 and is awarded in three grades gold, silver and bronze.
The design of the award differs between Army and Air Forces and the Navy. The
Army and Air Force version of the award is a silver colored rope with a round
metal badge on a flat end near the top of the rope, on its center it displays
the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The Navy version of the
award looks the same except the rope's color is navy blue.
Another equally
famous award is the Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst (German Armed
Forces Badge for Military Proficiency). The decoration was created in October
1980 and is awarded in three grades: gold, silver and bronze. It may be awarded
to any rank of personnel and all may wear the badge. The badge is round on its
center and displays the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The
badge can be in gold, silver or bronze.
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