BACKGROUND: The wear of Awards, Medal Bars and Ribbon Bars were addressed in regulations of April 28TH 1937 and followed the established directives that had been previously laid down. When an award was instituted the introductory orders would prescribe the proper form of wear with most of the awards being permitted to be grouped together on a medal or ribbon bar. The medal bars were intended for wear on the walking-out dress and formal uniforms while the ribbon bars were intended for all other forms of dress. Strict regulations listed the required order in which ribbons awards were authorized to be worn on the ribbon bar. On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Cross’s were re-instituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19TH 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5TH 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1ST 1939 Hitler once more re-instituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Single place ribbon bar with a horizontally ribbed, Iron Cross 2ND class ribbon featuring the German national colors with a central, vertical red stripe flanked by narrower white and black stripes. The ribbon shows age and usage toning. The ribbon is mounted on a convexed magnetic sheet metal base plate. The reverse of the base plate has a thin round horizontal pin and catch both intact.