BACKGROUND: Officially designated, Bravery and Merit Decoration for the Eastern People, this series of awards was instituted on July 14TH 1942 to recognize the contribution of volunteers from the Eastern European countries to Germany’s war effort. The awards were introduced in two classes with five grades and were awarded with swords for bravery in combat, or without swords for outstanding service to the war effort. The awards were rendered in a first class in gold and silver and a second class in gold, silver and bronze and all could be issued with or without swords. The first class awards were the pin back type while the second class awards were suspended from a ribbon. In October of 1942 bestowal of the first or second class silver award was extended to German nationals serving with "Osttruppen", (Eastern Troops), providing they already held the Iron Cross first or second class. When bestowed the first class awards were generally issued in a case while the second class awards were issued in envelopes.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, zinc alloy, construction award with a silver wash is in the form of a thirty-two point, sunburst star pattern with a central, embossed, circular, laurel leaf wreath encompassing a six petal flower. The reverse has the typical circular depression to the center as found on these awards. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly.