For 40 years of service a Oak Leaf cluster was instituted on August 12th 1944. The golden oak leaves with service years number 40 was to be worn on the ribbon of the 1.Stufe.
Sources
- Lumsden R., Medals and Decorations of Hitler's Germany, Airlife Publishing Ltd, Shrewsbury, 2001
- Reichsgesetzblatt, Teil I, 1944, Nr. 43, 19 september 1944