BACKGROUND: Instituted in July of 1934 by von Hindenburg (resulting in its erroneous designation as the "Hindenburg Cross") to recognize service in WWI. It ranked beneath bravery awards but above other service and campaign awards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, magnetic sheet metal award with a bronze wash. The award is in the form of a cross Patté with a central circular motif featuring an embossed laurel leaf wreath encompassing the embossed dates, "1914-1918", on a smooth background field. The cross’s ribbon suspension loop and ring are both intact. The reverse is marked "43" "R.V." "Pforzhein". Cross comes complete with a piece of original ribbon.