The wearing of German awards and /or decorations was an outward display representative of the service or heroic deed by the recipient. To the recipient, it was a source of pride, and served to stimulate still further exceptional service or deeds. To the on-lookers, it was a means to motivate them to do the same so they in turn might earn similar awards or decorations. This largely is the philosophy behind our unit’s award system. In this unit, you will find that awards or decorations are not easily obtained.
In our system, as in the aforementioned original Third Reich system, we will only recognize individuals for exemplary achievements and/or efforts made on and off the battlefield. It therefore stands to reason that any award earned should be hard earned. It therefore, will unquestionably be, highly respected by everyone in the unit as a whole as well as the recipient himself. These regulations have been created to cover every possible circumstance that might arise concerning the wear of awards and decorations. They were and accordingly are now, precise in nature, offering little in the way of interpretation.
In this unit, awards and their accompanying documents will be presented by the Unit Commander to recipients at the next award ceremony following the confirmation of the award. In addition, according to our document regulations, all award recipients are required to temporarily turn their soldbuch over to the unit clerk. This is so the unit clerk can properly enter the correct notation into the soldbuch’s award section.
No unit member may wear an authorized award, badge, or medal at any time without the verifying soldbuch entry and/or the award documentation in his possession. Under no circumstances is a unit member to wear any awards he has not properly earned or qualified for. Neither are unit members allowed to wear any political awards or badges at any time unless authorized to do so.
Failure to attend 50% or more unit attended battle events per year or any prolonged unauthorized absence from the unit (6 months or greater), may result in removal of any rank, titles, special assignments, and/or awards/decorations earned. This will be on a case by case basis, and to the discretion of the unit commander.
The original WWII German grouping or placement criteria for all awards and badges will be observed at all times. Priorities for their wear were established with military valor awards receiving first emphasis. Followed behind in descending order was the combat connected awards that were not valor connected, non-military awards for heroism, service awards, occupation medals, civil awards, and lastly foreign. Within each grouping a specific priority was established. War badges were worn on the lower breast in pin back form and also had a distinctive rating which dictated the placement of the badge relative to another. Combat badges ranked above qualification badges, but below decorations, e.g. Iron Cross or War Merit Cross. Military personnel were authorized to wear a ribbon bar above the left breast pocket. This ribbon bar was representative of the awards the wearer had received.
If you see or know of the act of any fellow unit member that may qualify him for any of the following awards, you must notify your immediate superior as soon as possible! All awards must be subject to final approval by the NCO committee and/or the unit leader.
Medal for German Social Welfare (Medaille für Deutsche Volkspflege)
By order of the Führer, on 1 May 1939 all Red Cross awards were to be covered by this award. This award was issued in four classes and would be rendered in recognition of loyal service in connection with the following:
a. Social Warfare
b. Winter Relief
c. Looking after the Sick and Wounded
d. Keeping up with the old customs
e. Looking after the German nationals (and/or veterens) in foreign countries
Awarded in the Medal class only (4th Class) to ranks below SS-Hauptsturmführer, this medal is to be worn in ribbon bar form over the left breast pocket. This award cannot be awarded to unit personnel, if recipients service qualifies him for an award of the War Merit Cross or other military award.
Oct. 38 Medal: (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1, October 1938)
Commemoration medal for the annexation of the Sudentenland. Participate in at least 10 out of State WWII battle events. Worn as a ribbon bar over left pocket only. Recipient must be at least 23 actual years of age at the time of the award and served in the unit for at least three (3) years.
Defense Wall Honor Award: (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen)
Often call the "Westwall Medal". Assist in the construction of permanent fortifications (bunker, pillboxes, tank obstacles, etc.) for a club battle site, unit training area, or the restoration of existing ones (minimum 3 weekends). Worn as a ribbon bar over left pocket only.
Winter Campaign in Russia Medal: (Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42)
Often called the "Frozen Meat Order" by its original German recipients. Participate in at least two (5) Russian Front Battles and two(2) Russian Front snow battles. This criteria cannot be combined. A total of seven (7) events with two (2) of them being snow or frozen conditions. Worn as a ribbon bar over left pocket and/or 2nd breast button hole at a 45 degree angle underneath the Iron Cross II Class ribbon if the recipient possesses it. Recipient must be at least 24 actual years of age at the time of the award and served in the unit for at least three (3) years.
Wound Badge: (Verwundeten-abzeichen)
Points accumulate toward this badge for each separate legitimate injury (whether actual military, WWII Club related or occurring during a battle) that requires actual medical treatment from a physician (max. 1 pt. Per day). Grade of ward as follows: Black Badge for 1-2 points; Silver Badge for 3-4 points; Gold badge for 5 or more points. Loss of an eye, body part, or hospitalization is an automatic 3 pt. This badge requires recommendation and/or verification of injury from the Medical Section. Chief-of-Staff, and Medical Section forms MS…
Infantry Assault Badge: (Infantrie-Sturmabzeichen)
Minimum of two (2) years service in the unit, attending at least 75% of the battles each year, with a minimum of twelve (12) battles accrued. Badge awarded in bronze for panzergrenadier and silver for Infantry.
General Assault Badge: (Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen)
Minimum two (2) years service in the unit, attending at least 75% of the battles, with a minimum of twelve (12) battles accrued. Similar criteria as the "Infantry assault badge" but for unit members that accrued all or the majority of their battle days serving as medical, engineer, or support personal (such as drivers, artillery, anti-tank, anti-aircraft, etc.). Grade II of this badge is awarded with the number 25 added for those who accrue 25 battle days, grade III of this badge is awarded to Senior NCO’s with the number 50 for those who acquire 50 battle days (both 25 and 50 under the above criteria). The grade IV or V (75 or 100 days) will not be awarded without a unanimous vote from unit NCO committee.
Panzer Assault Badge: (Panzerkampf-abzeichen)
Awarded in silver to members with a minimum of one (1) year in service in the unit who serve as tank c.o.’s gunners, drivers, or radio operators and survive at least three different assaults in at least three (3) different events. Awarded in bronze, with the above criteria, to members assigned to armored cars rather than tanks.
War Merit Cross 2nd Class: (Kriegsverdienst-kreuz 2. klasse)
Member of the unit in good standing for a minimum of six (6) months, performing service above and beyond the normal duties and tasks of the unit. (i.e. providing rental uniforms and gear, recruiting three (3) or more new permanent members for the unit, manufacturing of needed unit items, or the providing of much needed special skills). Awarded with the addition of swords where bravery was involved and the nominee survived the engagement (but not warranting the Iron Cross 2nd Class). Unit NCO committee vote required.
War Merit Cross 1st Class (Kriegsverdienst-kreuz 1. Klasse)
Minimum of three (3) years service in the unit and/or fulfill and exceed the above criteria for the 2nd class in an exceptional manner (i.e., providing a period unit vehicle, special unit weapons or equipment). Awarded with the addition of swords where bravery was involved and the nominee survived the engagement (but not warranting the Iron Cross 1st Class). This award must have a unanimous vote from the unit NCO committee.
Iron Cross 2nd Class: (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse)
Minimum of one (1) year of service in the unit with a minimum of eight (8) battles accrued and distinguish oneself in a heroic manner that has a direct and major impact on the enemy (i.e. Knock out major enemy strongholds or enemy tank, destroy many vehicles, lead victorious assaults, etc.). Nominee must have survived the engagement (No posthumous awards). Unit NCO committee vote required.
Iron Cross 1st Class: (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse)
Minimum of two (2) years service in the unit exceptional combat achievement far above and beyond that of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. Nominee must have survived the engagement (No posthumous awards), possess the Iron Cross 2nd Class prior to being nominated for this award, and a unanimous vote from the unit NCO committee.
Special Badge for Single-Handed Destruction of a Tank: (Sonderabzeichen fur das Niederkammpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkampfer)
The silver version is awarded for each single-handed destruction of an enemy tank wherein the nominee survived throughout the engagement (No posthumous awards). Destruction can be accomplished by hand grenade, demolition charge, Panzerfaust, or any other similar hand held explosive (kill must be verified). Unit NCO committee vote required. In addition the recipient may also be eligible to receive a Iron cross 2nd Class along with any award of this badge (majority vote from the unit NCO committee required). A gold version signifies a total of fine (5) tank kills. Recipient may also be eligible to receive a Iron Cross or War Merit 1st Class along with the gold award of this badge (unanimous vote from the unit NCO committee required).
Close Combat Bar: (Nahkampfspange)
All battle/combat days accumulated toward this award begin after the individual has earned the Infantry or General Assault Badge (Clasp is not awarded to support or supply personnel). Bronze Clasp is awarded to recipients of the Iron Cross 1st Class with 30 combat days accrued (only 25 days if wounded). Silver clasp is awarded to recipients of the Bronze Clasp with minimum of (5) years service in unit and additional 30 combat days accrued (only a total of 50 days if wounded). Authorization of any level of clasp must come from the unit commander. The gold version of the Clasp will not be awarded.
War Order of the German Cross: (Kriegsorden des Deutschen Kruezes)
Awarded in gold for honorable military service and exceptional sacrifice to the unit and club with merit and bravery on and off the field, far beyond that of either the Iron Cross 1st Class and/or WMC 1st Class, but not sufficient enough to warrant the award of the Knights Cross. The German Cross in gold is also awarded for a total of 75 confirmed Sniper kills or more. Awarded to senior medical personnel who are recipients of the IC 1st Class with 50 combat days accrued (only 45 days if wounded). The silver Cross will not be awarded due to its historical rarity). Award requires authorization from the unit commander and a unanimous vote from the NCO committee.
Knight Cross to the Iron Cross: (Ritterkruez des Eisernen Kreuzes)
Save a fellow club members life in an actual real life threatening emergency, or be an actual recipient of the Medal of Honor, or acquire and field an original German WWII tank for the unit (awarded with the addition of Oakleaves and Swords for a Tiger I or panther tank). Any award of the knights Cross for other than a tank acquisition requires a minimum of two (2) witnesses; complete verification of incident, full written report from all concerned: authorization from the unit commander, and a unanimous vote from NCO committee.