Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr?

[Bob Hritz]

I found this toady and wonder which grade and if has collector desireability of any type.

Thank you,
Bob Hritz

[Frentebro]

Bob, it's the highest class of the Federal Merit Cross. For more info Google with "medals bundeswehr".

[J Howland]

Its the Grosse Verdeinstkreuz der Verdeinstorden der Bundesreuplik Deutschland. Without its accompanying case of issue you cannot tell precisely which degree it was intended to be. There were higher degrees (and sometimes larger crosses) worn on sashes as well as versions worn with various types of breast stars. The order dates to 1951 and bears certain similarities in structure and design to the WW II Order of the German Eagle.

Like the French Legion of Honor or the British Order of the British Empire, it is given for a wide range of things, only some of which are military in nature. Someone receiving the commander degree (the neck badge) might be receiving it for a lifetime of working in areas of community health or the fine arts. It is my impression that the lower level, pin back version of the cross is what high ranking NATO officers might expect after puting in a long period of time cooperating and coordinating with the German military...

Jim

[Frentebro]

Hi JH, i stand corrected...i was relying on a BW awards site which did not distinguish among the various grades of the Grosse Kreuz...that's what happens when i stick my nose into things i don't really know about!:->

[J Howland]

This website has more info on the order than anyone would ever want to know: degrees, manufacturer's variants, etc. http://www.bundesverdienstorden.de/

Unfortunately, it's not just '57 RK's that S&L makes so very sloppily. Most of the enamel on the highest degrees of the Order of Merit produced since the early nineties look like somebody's kid sister made them on a cookie sheet in the family stove. The surface on recent crosses frequently looks like an oatmeal cookie!

Two interesting side notes: in most degrees, the insignia awarded to women is fractionally smaller than that awarded to men. If a Merit Order awardee was earlier decorated with the RK in WW II, the merit order regs call for the neck badge to be worn over the RK... i.e. in the commander (neck) degree, it holds precedence over a combat award worn at the neck.

Jim

[Bob Hritz]

Thank you to all who replied. Mr. Howland, thank you for the link to the site. You are right, more info than I thought available.


At least this medal is worn and used,from the condition and use shown by the ribbon and closure attachment. I was going to put it on the e-Stand and wondered what would be a fair price.

Thank you,
Bob Hritz

[Eric Gaumann]

A little more info

albeit after the fact. http://eng.bundespraesident.de/index...dienst/top.htm

Seems Ronny Raygun and Wesley Clark have been awarded a grade of this order amongst myriad others.