BACKGROUND: The DRK, Deutsche Rote Kreuz, (German Red Cross), didn’t have any awards to recognize loyal long service so on July 1ST 1937 Adolf Hitler introduced the DRK Sister’s/Nurse’s/Matron’s Long Service Cross in four grades. The grades consisted of a Sister’s/Nurse’s cross for ten years service, a Sister’s/Nurse’s cross for twenty-five years service, a Matron’s cross for ten years service, and a Matron’s cross for twenty-five years service. The main difference in the Sisters/Nurse’s and Matron’s crosses was the Sisters/Nurse’s crosses had a silver finish while the Matron’s crosses had a gold finish. Die struck alloy award with nickel/silver plated, frosted white, and multi-colored enamel finishes. Of Note: The May 1ST 1939, introduction of the Social Welfare awards designed to replace the earlier DRK awards did not affect the Long Service Cross awards and they were bestowed right up until the end of the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The award is in the form of a cross Pattée with a central circular centerpiece. The arms of the cross have a nickel/silver plated, raised lip to the outer edges. The central circular centerpiece features a white enameled background field with a stylized, black enamel DRK eagle with elongated, down swept wings with a canted, silver swastika superimposed on its breast and clutching a red cross in its talons. The top arm of the cross has a soldered suspension loop. No suspension chain. The solid reverse has an embossed manufacturers logo of a triangle. Nice example.