Military Awards Guide

This is an identification guide for the different types of Medals awarded to the military in Germany from 1939 until 1945. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are of original authentic items of the period. This guide is for identification only. To correctly authenticate an item, it's size, weight, composition, and construction details must be examined. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact Vern@GermanDaggers.com.

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Awards for Valor



Knight's Cross	Oak Leaves & Swords - Oak Leaves - higher grades and worn with the Knight's Cross	Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords	Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross

German Cross in Gold	German Cross in Silver	Honor Roll Clasp for Army, Luftwaffe, & Navy	Iron Cross 1st Class

Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class	Iron Cross 2nd Class	Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class	War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords

War Merit Cross 1st Class	War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords	War Merit Cross 2nd Class	War Merit Medal

Service & Campaign Awards



Armed Forces Long Service Medal for 4 years service	Armed Forces Long Service Medal for 12 years service	Armed Forces Long Service Medal for 18 years service	Armed Forces Long Service Medal for 25 years service

Armed Forces Long Service Medal for 40 years service	Commemorative Medal of 13 March 1938 - Entry into Austria	Commemorative Medal of 1 October 1938 - Entry into Sudeten & Prague Castle Bar	Commemorative Medal of the Return of Memel 1939

Italo-German Africa Campaign Medal	Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia	Spanish Liberation Medal - Awarded to members of the Condor Legion