The War Cross for Civil Merits () was a civil award of Austria-Hungary. Established on 16 August 1915 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, it recognized civilian war service during World War I. The cross could also be awarded to military officers for their contributions to the war but were not directly involved in combat operations.
Appearance The War Cross for Civil Merits is in the shape of a Cross pattée, The decoration measures 55 mm in height and 55 mm in width.A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, passing beneath the horizontal arms of the cross and in front of the vertical arms. The first- and second-class crosses are gilded, the third class is silver, and the fourth class is bronze.
The arms of the cross in the first through third classes are finished with white enamel. The central medallion, also enameled in white, displays the Emperor’s monogram “FJI” (Franz Joseph Imperator), encircled by the inscription “Merito Civili tempore belli MCMXV” (“Civil merit in time of war 1915”). The decoration was worn as a breast cross, attached directly to the coat or uniform.
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