The Cross for Loyal Service was a military award founded on 18 November 1914 by Prince Adolf II. of Schaumburg-Lippe as a recreation of an earlier award created by Adolf I during the Franco-Prussian War. It could be awarded to officers, men, and non-combatants.

Award Classes Although the Order statutes only mentioned one class (a chest medal). However, another version of the award was also awarded to members of the House of Schaumburg-Lippe and other ruling families. This class was awarded as a pinback cross, similar to the Iron Cross 1st Class, which was worn as a breast star. However, this was legally the same award as the cross for non-royals.

Appearance The insignia is a bronze Greek Cross, the ends of the arms of the cross have slightly splayed out, and the cross has a raised edge. On the obverse in the arms of the cross is the legend "FÜR TREUE DIENSTE 1914" meaning: "For Loyal Service 1914". In the centre of the Cross is the founder's monogram, an ornamented letter A, surmounted with a crown. The obverse of the cross, by contrast, is bare.

Wearing The order could be awarded to both combatants and non-combatants. The ribbon for combatants was blue with three white stripes, while the ribbon for non-combatants was white with red and blue edge stripes (the colours of Schaumburg-Lippe).

Recipients

Wilhelm von Apell Curt Badinski Ludwig Beck Werner von Blomberg Maximilian von Herff Joachim von Kortzfleisch Erich von Manstein Georg Alexander von Müller Manfred von Richthofen Johannes Severin Fritz Schlieper

See also Lippe War Merit Cross

References

Further reading Jörg Nimmergut: Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945. Band II: Limburg–Reuss. Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde. München 1997. . S. 628–649.