BACKGROUND: The Wound Badge was originally established on March 3rd 1918 by Prussian King Wilhelm II to recognize the sacrifice of those wounded during WWI. The badge was instituted in three classes with the class bestowed reflecting the number or severity of the wounds received. The classes consisted of a black badge for one or two wounds, a silver badge for three or four wounds and a gold badge for five or more wounds or loss of a limb or sight.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, hollow backed, steel construction badge with a black wash. The badge is in the form of a vertical oval, which is more circular then the 1939 pattern WWII badges, with an embossed, high relief, profile of a M16 pattern helmet superimposed over crossed swords on a pebbled base encompassed by an embossed oval laurel leaf wreath. The reverse of the badge is a mirror image of the obverse. Reverse of the badge is complete with its original hinge and pin & catch assembly.