The Iron Cross (EK 1957)

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Time Period: World War II, Post-WW2 Period

Institution: 26 July 1957

Country: Germany

The Iron Cross 1957 was officially established on July 26, 1957. It aimed to honor the bravery and leadership of those who had served during World War II while adhering to new legal requirements.

Following the end of World War II, Germany underwent significant political and social changes, including the denazification process to remove Nazi symbols from public life. By the mid-1950s, many German veterans sought recognition for their wartime service without the stigma associated with Nazi imagery. In response, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) introduced the Iron Cross 1957.

This version allowed veterans to wear their decorations in a form that conformed to post-war regulations, promoting reconciliation and respect for individual bravery.

The Iron Cross 1957 Criteria

The criteria for the Iron Cross 1957 remained the same as those of the 1939 version. It was awarded to recognize acts of bravery and leadership in combat. Veterans who had earned the Iron Cross during World War II were eligible to wear the 1957 version, ensuring that their wartime service could be publicly acknowledged without the associated Nazi symbols

More Variations of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration, has undergone several variations since its inception. For example, the Iron Cross 1813 was instituted during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia, the Iron Cross 1914 was awarded during World War I, it was reinstated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Iron Cross 1939 was revived by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with modifications including a swastika.