Grades
• War Merit Medal (1940)
• War Merit Cross 2nd Class (1939)
• War Merit Cross 1st Class (1939)
• Knights Cross to the War Merit Cross (silver, 1940)
• Golden Knights Cross to the War Merit Cross (1944)

The War Merit Cross did not exist prior to 1939, it was created and newly instituted prior to the war and formed part of the awards structure of the Third Reich. This structure was expanded because the current and prior structures were not modernly designed, and voids would exist both in the civilian and military areas.

In previous times the “non-combatant ribbon” of the Iron Cross had distinguished state officials, civilians and auxiliary military personnel who contributed to the war effort. However, it became apparent from experiences in World War I and the Spanish Civil War that this single award would not be sufficient to recognize the vast numbers of civilian and auxiliary forces that were needed to wage a modern war. In light of this the non-combatant ribbon was not renewed when the Iron Cross was in September 1939. This new age of warfare would require almost complete mobilization, a prospect that was later realized and became famous along with its description; Total War. To recognize the millions of Germans that were to directly support the Wehrmacht and those employed in war related industries such as shipyards, munition dumps, aircraft factories, and assembly lines an award with more depth was needed.

In the military area, the Weimar Republic had left a void when after World War I it abolished the military Germanic State awards. These awards had played a significant role by rewarding both bravery and relatively common acts of military merit. To reward war time achievements Hitler created a series of decorations, among them The War Merit Cross (Das Kriegsverdienst Kreuz, or KVK) on October 18, 1939.

Initially the War Merit Cross consisted of only two classes, 1st and 2nd, but as the need arose the War Merit Medal and Knights Cross to the War Merit Cross were introduced. All grades (except for the War Merit Medal) were compromised of an eight-pointed Maltese cross, with a pair of military style swords fitted between the arms of the cross distinguishing the combatant category from the non-combatant category which had no swords but was otherwise identical.

The War Merit Cross with Swords recognized those military men whose acts of courage were above the call of duty, yet did not meet the criteria for the Iron Cross. These acts could either be in the form of bravery not under direct enemy fire or the planning/leading of combat operations. All members of the military were eligible without distinction to rank, and non-Germans Allies were equally eligible.

The Cross without swords was generally awarded for general meritorious actions. Military personnel who qualified for the War Merit Cross in an administrative, medical, or other service away from the front line received this award, as did civilians whose contributions were of significant importance to the war effort. Civilians were awarded the War Merit Cross without regard to age or social class, from Diplomats to factory floor workers.

It was necessary to have the lower Class in order to receive a higher Class, though in some rare cases the 2nd and 1st Classes were awarded simultaneously. If the War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded to an individual who held the class without Swords, only the Cross with Swords was to be worn. It was initially decreed that the War Merit Cross could not be awarded or worn by Iron Cross recipients but this regulation was revoked on September 28, 1941.

The War Merit Cross was eventually used to recognize virtually any service, and was to become the German decoration most widely presented during the war. Please follow the links below for sections on each grade.