Holders of the German Olympic Decoration 1st Class

[Sepp45]

Hi guys! I'm trying to do a research and a photo archive of holders of this rare decoration: Deutsche Olympia-Ehrenzeichen 1. Klasse.

The First Class was presented as a neck order and a total of 767 were awarded.

It's something hard to find photo evidence of the holders wearing the decoration, so if you can help, please keep in mind that I'm doing a file on the 1st Class Order only.

Let's start!

[Sepp45]

Generaloberst Eduard Dietl

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Generalmajor Wolfgang von Gronau

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Hermann Esser

Esser was the editor of the Nazi paper, Völkischer Beobachter and, in December 1939, he became Vice President of the Reichstag.

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Unknown LW General with the order.

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Dr. Max W. Eckert, leader of the German Canoe Association (Deutschen Kanu-Verbandes) and NOK member of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin

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Regierungsrat Bruno Senninger
Awarded on: August 16th, 1936

(Photo credits to Hermann-Historica)

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SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich

Heydrich was assigned to help organise the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and for his part in the games' success, he was awarded the German Olympic Games Decoration First Class.

It's not common to see a photo of Heydrich wearing the award, but there's an indication on ribbon bar.

[Sepp45]

It's not common to see a photo of Heydrich wearing the award, but there's an indication on ribbon bar.

The Deutsche Olympia-Ehrenzeichen ribbon bar is third from the left.

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The German Olympic Decoration on Heydrich's funeral pillow can be seen on the right.

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Reichsminister Prof. Dr. Fritz Todt

As a similar case with Heydrich, finding a photo of Todt wearing the neck order is nearly impossible. But, the German Olympic Decoration 1st Class is on the funeral pillow set after his death on February 8th, 1942.

[Sepp45]

Unknown LW General with the order.

I've found his name: Major Willy Liniger

Part of his grouping was sold by Hermann-Historica a few years back.

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Italian holder of the award, yet to identify.

[Sepp45]

Same person, different view.

[Alan_G]

Very useful thread! Great idea!