Long Service Medal Criteria

[PaulR]

When was the award of the Long Service Medal stopped? Which versions should someone who enlisted in 1929 have? Was this available for both officers and enlisted?

My relative came in as an enlisted man in 1929 and made it to Hauptfeldwebel. He became a Leutnant in 1940 and served until the end of the war, ending as a Major. He only has a four year long service in his records (Soldbuch and Personalkarte). Is this an error?

[bytown]

As far as I can remember they stopped awarding the long service sometime in 1940.

Joined 1929. Twelve years sometime in 1941. So he didn't get the 12yr. just the 4yr.

Maybe someone can go into more detail than I can.

Wayne

[PaulR]

Thanks Wayne.

If the award stopped in 1940, he would have just missed the 12 year medal... but he should have the 4-8 year medals... but there is no mention of the 8 year medal in his record. I dont see it in his Soldbuch photo either, which was issued after he made Leutnant in mid 1940. In his photo, he was wearing the EK2 and a Long Service Medal ribbon bar. Who knows, it may be a double error (he was too frugal to get the ribbon bar updated and Admin overlooked updating this award in his records).

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks Wayne.

If the award stopped in 1940, he would have just missed the 12 year medal... but he should have the 4-8 year medals... but there is no mention of the 8 year medal in his record. I dont see it in his Soldbuch photo either, which was issued after he made Leutnant in mid 1940. In his photo, he was wearing the EK2 and a Long Service Medal ribbon bar. Who knows, it may be a double error (he was too frugal to get the ribbon bar updated and Admin overlooked updating this award in his records).

Hi Paul,

There was no 8-Year Long Service Decoration for the Wehrmacht. Only 4, 12, 18, 25, and 40. Only the Police and SS had 8-Year LS Decorations.

Best regards,
Tom

[PaulR]

That makes perfect sense then.

It is weird how the sequence rolls after the 12 year medal. I wonder what made the 18th year so noteworthy? Was there a reason behind the madness?

[byterock]

Most likely a compromise of sorts. Most of the german principalities did not have long service awards for officers only a few for NCOs. The Officers would get some sort of order that they would advance in grade in as their service/rank progressed.

Much like the french Legion d'honour and UK OBE. The Nazi ideal was one honour system regardless of rank/class. Something the UK just caught up to in the past few years.

Remember most germans where conscripts and only served two years. Servering 4 and 8 would be something special.

[PaulR]

I understand. Thank you.

So back in the earlier days, officers were advanced more on a time frame than by merit/competition.