BACKGROUND: The RAD, Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), was formed in June 1935 by consolidating earlier male labor services into a single organization under control of the NSDAP. In April 1936 the Frauenarbietsdienst, (Women’s Labor Service), was assimilated into the RAD as the RADwJ, Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend, (National Labor Service for Young females). On its official formation RAD service became compulsory, with all German citizens between 19 and 25 years of age required to enlist for a six month term. The RAD and the RADwJ were administered by a core of full time, permanent employees. On January 30TH 1938, Hitler instituted the National Labor long service award, in four classes, in recognition of honorable long service for the cadre personnel of both the RAD and the RADwJ. The awards came in two distinct designs with one design for men and the other design for women. The four classes of the award consisted of the first class medal for twenty-five years of service, the second class medal for eighteen years of service, the third class medal for twelve years of service and the fourth class medal for fours years of service.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Men's, first class, die struck alloy award with a frosted gilt wash, for twenty-five years service. The award is in the form of a vertical oval with an embossed oak-leaf wreath to the outside edges encompassing a smooth background field with embossed, inverted spade head with central, canted swastika, flanked by sheaves of wheat to the obverse. The reverse of the award also has the embossed oak-leaf wreath to the outside edges encompassing a smooth background field with embossed Gothic script, "Für treue dienst im Reichsarbeitdienst", (For Loyal Service in the National Labor Service). The ribbon suspension loop and ring are both intact. Comes with a piece of original ribbon that has been sewn to it.