Having closed the Condor Legion Wound Badge, Hitler reestablished the Wound Badges on the eve of World War II to recognize those individuals who were wounded in action with the enemy. The reinstitution decree stated that it was...

“..as a mark of honor for all risked their lives for the Fatherland and have been wounded or maimed."

A few months after Operation Fall Weiss began the 1939 Wound Badge 2nd type was available and started to be presented. This version, very similar to its predecessors, was oval with pebbling on the background plate and featured an M35 helmet with a mobile swastika on it. Behind the helmet were the usual crossed swords, and a wreath of laurels surrounding the badge with a ribbon at the base. There are slight variations in the measurements of the badges, but the 24 authorized manufacturers were mostly consistent in size. The Wound badge was presented with a standard document.

Black Wound Badge 1939
Wound Badge in Black	Wound Badge in Black Document

The black grade was stamped from sheet brass, later steel, and was painted mat or semi-mat. It has a hollow back with a needle pin. They were rarely stamped (15-20%) with a makers mark, but if one was present it would be on the reverse. Because of the decline in materials late war badges of this grade often tended to rust.

Silver Wound Badge 1939
Obverse	Reverse

The Silver grade was produced initially from silver-plated brass, and later in the war (1942) from whitewashed zinc. The reverse was solid, with either a needle or fat bellied pin and the manufacturers and silver content marks, if present. Awarded for three or four wounds, it could also be awarded for more serious wounds if such wound included loss of hearing, a hand, a foot, an eye, brain damage, or facial disfigurement.

Gold Wound Badge 1939
Obverse	Reverse

The gold grade was initially manufactured from gold plated or polished brass (as result of the polishing some of the badges lack pebbling and are almost flat).  The reverse was again solid with the same pin characteristics and marks as the Silver grade. It was awarded for five or more wounds, and was also awarded for serious wounds in cases of total blindness or total disability.  It should be noted that both Silver and Gold badges were also made from gilt-washed zinc as the war progressed.  By 1945, as quality became less important and materials scarce, some black badges were being painted the appropriate color and issued as both silver and gold grades.  In these cases the reverse is almost always hollow.

The Wound Badge could be presented either in a presentation case or an envelope. The Silver and Gold grade were normally, though not always, presented in a case and the Black grade was commonly presented in an envelope. The cases, which were similar to the ones used by other awards such as the Iron Cross, were made of wood and covered in simulated leather. The LDO logo was sometimes stamped on the outside of the lid and the inside base was covered by flocked material while the inside of the lid was covered with white satin. The envelopes came with the name and class of the award written in gothic script. The recipient was also presented witha document bearing the proper official signatures and stamps. All badges were worn on the left pocked of the uniform below any other decorations.

Main	Imperial	Spanish	20th July	Recipients