BACKGROUND: On March 16TH 1936, one year after the reintroduction of military conscription, Adolf Hitler instituted the Armed Forces Long Service Awards to reward military personnel, in all branches of service, for loyal long service. The awards were established in four classes for four, twelve, eighteen and twenty-five years service respectively. Of Note: On March 10TH 1939 Hitler expanded the series of Armed Forces Long Service Awards with the introduction of a gilt oak-leave device to be attached to the ribbon of the twenty-five year service award to indicate forty years service. This example is the second class medal awarded for eighteen years of loyal service.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, magnetic metal construction award with a silver washed finish is in the form of a cross Pattée with a circular centerpiece with the obverse centerpiece featuring an embossed Wehrmacht style eagle with down-swept wings and the reverse centerpiece featuring the embossed numeral, "18". Both the obverse and reverse centerpieces have a pebbled background field while the arms of the cross have a smooth finish with dual, fine, embossed outer edge stripes. The ribbon suspension ring and loop are both intact and the cross comes complete with a cornflower blue ribbed rayon parade mounted ribbon with a silver washed, stamped, magnetic sheet metal eagle cypher with outstretched wings. Medal is no longer attached to the ribbon.