Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer

The Cross of Honor for war participants without swords was instituted as Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer on 13th July 1934 as part of the Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges. After the institution it was published in the Reichsgesetsblatt RGBI.I.S.619 on 15th July.

Entitled to the award were those who did not participate as military, but contributed to the war effort, either on German service or in service with one of the German allies. For service as fighting military, the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer with swonrds was instituted. For being awarded, the First Worls War was placed in the period between 1st August 1914 and 31st December 1918.

The by Eugene Godet designed cross measures 1.46 by 1.46 inch and has the shape of a templars cross, the base type that also was model for the Iron Cross. Around the cross is a 0.12 inch border. The cross is made of iron which was bronzed. The front shows a oak leaf wreath, opened at the top. In the wreath there are to be found the dates "1914" and "1918". The Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer differs from the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer in its lack of the two crossed swords. The back is plain and moslty shows the mark of the producer of the cross. The cross hangs on a black-white-red striped ribbon.

The cross was to be worn on the left breast. On the ribbon bar, the bar was to be placed directly after the Iron Cross (when received), but before all other decorations.
A total of 1.120.449 crosses were awarded.