Orders, decorations, and medals of Nazi Germany were military, political, and civilian decorations that were bestowed between 1923 and 1945, first by the Nazi Party and later the state of Nazi Germany.

The first awards began in the 1920s, before the Nazis had come to national power in Germany, with the political decorations worn on Party uniforms, along with any awards they may have earned during the First World War or before.

After 1933, the state began issuing a variety of civilian decorations, which could be bestowed upon any citizen of Germany. Thus, some awards (such as Sports Badges) were bestowed on Nazi Party members, members of the German military, and regular civilians. Many standard awards of the German state, such as life-saving medals, were redesigned to incorporate the Nazi symbol, the swastika.

A number of military awards were established pre-war, including Wehrmacht long service decorations, followed by awards for participation in the Spanish Civil War and for the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland, with the greatest number established after the start of World War II in 1939. Regulations of award also permitted the simultaneous wear of military, civilian, and political decorations on any military or paramilitary uniform of Nazi Germany.

Nazi awards and decorations were discontinued after the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, with display of the swastika banned. In 1957 the Federal Republic of Germany permitted qualifying veterans to wear many Nazi-era awards on the Bundeswehr uniform, including most World War II valor and campaign awards, provided the swastika symbol was removed. This led to the re-design of many awards with, for example, the swastika being replaced by a three-leafed oakleaf cluster (see picture) on the Iron Cross and by the date 1939 on the War Merit Cross.

Orders and decorations State orders Badge and ribbon Name (English/German) Creation date – cessation date Description Number awarded Order of the German EagleVerdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler 1 May 1937 – 8 May 1945 Awarded with and without swords The number of times the order was awarded is unknown. Cross of Honour of the German MotherEhrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter 1939 until 1945 Awarded to exemplary mothers who furnished Germany with Aryan children. Instigated by Adolf Hitler and bears his signature on the reverse. Awarded in three levels: bronze, silver, and gold The number of times the order was awarded is unknown. It is estimated that up until September 1941 there were a total of 4.7 million recipient mothers.

War decorations: pre-1939 Badge and ribbon Name (English/German) Creation date – cessation date Description Number awarded Spanish CrossSpanien-Kreuz 14 April 1939 – 1940 Awarded with and without swords. Issued in bronze, silver, gold, and gold with diamonds. For service with the Condor Legion in Spain 26,116 total, for all classes Condor Legion Tank BadgePanzertruppenabzeichen der Legion Condor September 1936 – autumn 1939(official decoration 10 July 1939) For tank instructors and maintenance personnel who served with the Condor Legion in Spain, 1936–1939 415

War decorations: 1939–1945 These awards were bestowed by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS between 1939 and 1945, during World War II. Badge and ribbon Name (English/German) Creation date – cessation date Description Number awarded Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron CrossStern zum Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 A higher class of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. A prototype was made, but the decoration was never formally instituted or awarded. 0 Grand Cross of the Iron CrossGroßkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 Awarded to victorious generals/field marshals of German forces and her allies. Hermann Göring, received the Grand Cross on 19 July 1940, the only recipient of World War II. 1 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and DiamondsRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten 29 December 1944 – 8 May 1945 To be awarded after World War II to Germany's 12 greatest war heroes. Actually awarded only once, to Hans-Ulrich Rudel for continuous outstanding achievements and heroism 1 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and DiamondsRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten 28 September 1941 – 8 May 1945 For continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops after being awarded all preceding classes of the Knight's Cross/Iron Cross 27 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and SwordsRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern 28 September 1941 – 8 May 1945 For continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops after being awarded all preceding classes of the Knight's Cross/Iron Cross 160 (159 German, 1 Japanese) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub 3 June 1940 – 8 May 1945 For continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops after being awarded all preceding classes of the Knight's Cross/Iron Cross 890 (882 German, 8 Axis allies) Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossRitterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 Awarded for outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy and for brilliant service in command of troops. A requirement was the possession of the 1st and 2nd class of the Iron Cross. 7,318 Golden Knights Cross of the War Merit CrossGoldenes Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuz 13 October 1944 – 8 May 1945 Awarded with and without swords. For outstanding contributions to the war effort 2 (Further recommendations not approved by the end of the war) Knights Cross of the War Merit CrossRitterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuz 19 August 1940 – 8 May 1945 Awarded with and without swords. For meritorious contributions to the war effort after being awarded all preceding classes of the War Merit Cross German Cross in Gold with DiamondsKriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold mit Brillanten October 1942 – 8 May 1945 To be awarded for continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops (having already been awarded the German Cross in Gold). No awards were ever made. 0 German Cross in GoldKriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold 28 September 1941 – 8 May 1945 For continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops (not justifying the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross but having already been awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class) 24,204 (24,190 German, 14 Axis allies) German Cross in SilverKriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzes in Silber 28 September 1941 – 8 May 1945 For significant performances in aiding the military war effort (Not justifying the Knight's Cross of either the Iron Cross or the War Merit Cross but having already been awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class or War Merit Cross 1st Class) 1,115 Honour Roll ClaspEhrenblattspange 30 January 1944 – 8 May 1945 Different designs for the army, navy and air forceAwarded to those who appeared on the Honour Roll for distinction in combat 4,556 (Army and Waffen-SS awards only) Iron Cross (1st Class)Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 For continuous bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops after being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class Both Littlejohn & Dodkins (p. 120) and Previtera (p. 322) indicate 'about 300,000'. Some estimates are higher. Iron Cross (2nd Class)Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 For bravery before the enemy or excellence in commanding troops 1939 Clasp to the Iron CrossSpange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 An award of the Iron Cross, 1st or 2nd class for those who had already received the decoration in World War I 100,000+ War Merit Cross (1st Class)Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse 18 October 1939 – 8 May 1945 Awarded with and without swords. For meritorious contributions to the war effort after being awarded the War Merit Cross, 2nd class with swords without swords War Merit Cross (2nd Class)Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse 18 October 1939 – 8 May 1945 Awarded with and without swords. For meritorious contributions to the war effort with swords without swords War Merit MedalKriegsverdienstmedaille 19 August 1940 – 8 May 1945 For lower-level civilian contributions to the war effort

Military service decorations Cross of Honour (1914–1918)Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs Eastern MedalMedaille Winterschlacht im Osten West Wall MedalSchutzwall-Ehrenzeichen1944 bar authorised Anschluss Medal Memel Medal Sudetenland MedalPrague Castle Bar authorised

Military long service medals Wehrmacht Long Service AwardWehrmacht-DienstauszeichnungAwarded to army, navy, and air forceGrades for 4, 8, 15, 25, and 40 Years of Service SS Long Service AwardSS-DienstauszeichnungenGrades for 4, 12, 18, and 25 Years of Service

Arm shields

Narvik Shield, 1940 Crimea Shield, 1941–1942 Cholm Shield, 1942 Demyansk Shield, 1942 Kuban Shield, 1943 Warsaw Shield, 1944 Lapland Shield, 1944–1945

Campaign cuff titles

Crete Cuff Title, 1942 Africa Cuff Title, 1941–1943 Metz 1944 Cuff Title, 1944 Courland Cuff Title, 1944–1945

Military and paramilitary badges Army/ war badges Infantry Assault Badge General Assault Badge Close Combat Clasp Marksmanship Badge with lanyard Panzer Badge Army Anti-Aircraft Badge Parachutist Badge Bandit-warfare Badge Balloon Observer's Badge Tank Destruction Badge Sniper's Badge Wound Badge Army Mountain Guide Badge Driver Proficiency Badge

Naval war badges

High Seas Fleet Badge Destroyer War Badge Minesweeper War Badge Blockade Runner Badge Fast Attack Craft War Badge U-boat War Badge Auxiliary Cruiser Badge Naval Artillery War Badge U-Boat Front Clasp Naval Front Clasp

badges & other awards Combined Pilots-Observation Badge Pilot's Badge Parachutist Badge Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe Observer Badge Glider Pilot Badge Radio Operator Badge & Air Gunner Badge Flyer's Commemorative Badge Aircrew Badge Luftwaffe Flying Clasps

The Luftwaffe maintained two non-portable awards, the "Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe" () and the "Luftwaffe Honour Plate" (). Recipients of both awards automatically received the Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasp in January 1944. Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasp

Foreign volunteer awards Blue Division Medal,Spain Medal for Gallantry and Merit for Members of the Eastern PeoplesIn various grades, with and without swordsKurt-Gerhard Klietmann: Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches. 1936–1945. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2002, . p. 57-59 Schalburg Cross,Denmark 5th Don CossackRegimental Cross 2nd Siberian CossackRegimental Cross

Order of precedence Within the Wehrmacht, wartime awards () took precedence over peacetime decorations.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (and higher) Golden Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross German Cross Honour Roll Clasp Führer Commendation Certificate Honour Goblet & Plate of the Luftwaffe Iron Cross 1st Class War Merit Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Combat Clasp Numbered war badges Wound Badge Tank Destruction Badge Unnumbered war badges Campaign shields & cuff titles War Merit Cross 2nd Class Ostvolk Decoration Eastern Front Medal War Merit Medal Cross of Honour (1914–1918) Spanish Cross Qualification badges Long-service awards Commemorative medals West Wall Medal Foreign decorations

See also Political decorations of the Nazi Party

Notes

References Citations

Bibliography

External links WW2 German Medals and Awards Guide