The 2nd Class of the Militärverdienstkreuz was the original version of the decoration as it was instituted, a cross hanging on a ribbon.
For next of kinn a decoration could be given hanging on a red ribbon.
The 1914 type was the first to be given a text "FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE". The crosses were manufactured by AWS from Berlin and Zimmermann from Pforzheim.
For colonial wars only the 2nd Class was awarded.
A total of 76.616 2nd Class medals were awarded.