| Merit Cross for War Aid Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe | |
|---|---|
 Obverse and reverse of the Merit Cross for War Aid | |
| Type | Military and civil decoration |
| Awarded for | Act contributing to the war effort |
| Presented by | Prussia |
| Campaign(s) | World War I |
| Status | Suppressed 1924 |
| Established | 5 December 1916 |
 Ribbon of the cross | |
| Order of Wear 1916 | |
| Next (higher) | Life Saving Medal |
| Next (lower) | Peacetime awards of the Orders of Hohenzollern, Red Eagle, and Crown |
The Merit Cross for War Aid (German: Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe) was a war decoration of Prussia awarded during World War I. Instituted 5 December 1916, the cross was awarded for patriotic war aid service, without regard to status or rank.
Appearance
The Merit Cross for War Aid is in the shape of a Maltese cross, typically found made of blackened Kriegsmetall alloy. The obverse of the cross bears a circular central medallion with the crowned cipher of King Wilhelm II. On the reverse the central medallion is inscribed FÜR KRIEGS-HILFSDIENST (For War Aid Merit) above an oak wreath. To the upper arm is attached a loop for suspension from its ribbon.
References
- "Prussian Merit Cross War Aid (OMD 7015)". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
- Lundström, Richard. "Prussian Regulations of 24 February 1915 (with amendment 1916)". Guide to German Ribbon Bars 1914-1945. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- ^ "Prussia. Merit Cross for War Aid (Preussen. Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe)". Medal-medaille.com. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
 Orders, decorations and medals of Prussia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Orders |  | |
| Military decorations | ||
| Civil decorations | ||