BACKGROUND: The War Merit Medal was an extension of the War Merit Cross series of awards and was introduced on August 19TH 1940 for award to German nationals and foreign civilians who provided exceptional service to the war effort. Of Note: With the August 19TH 1940 expansion of the War Merit Cross series a Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross was also introduced for award to personnel who had provided a substantial contribution to the war effort.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck bronze alloy award with an embossed likeness of the War Merit Cross without swords to the obverse, in the form of a Maltese style cross with a circular centerpiece with an embossed, canted, swastika, encircled by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath. The arms of the cross have a slightly pebbled field while the background of the award is smooth with a fine raised lip to the outside edge. The reverse of the award has embossed Gothic script, "Für Kriegs-verdienst 1939", (For War Merit 1939), on a smooth background field. Complete with original ribbon.