Medals from Germany from Pre-WW1
German Military Medals & Awards from the Pre-WW1 period
Before unification in 1871, the region now known as Germany consisted of numerous independent states, principalities, and kingdoms, each with its own system of awards to recognize service, loyalty, and achievements. Prussia, a dominant German state before and after unification, had a particularly strong military tradition. Prussian kings and later German emperors established numerous orders and medals to reward military and civil service, reinforcing a culture of formal recognition.
On this page you will find all military and campaign medals, orders of knighthood, awards and decorations of Germany given before the Great War. This includes Orders of Chivalry that trace their origins to the Middle Ages to decorations awarded for distinguished military service. See more: Medals from the Kingdom of Prussia – Medals from the Austro-Hungarian Empire – Medals from the Kingdom of Bavaria – Medals of the Kingdom of Saxony
Popular Pre-WW1 German
Medals, Orders & Decorations
Before World War I, Germany boasted a rich tradition of medals, orders, and decorations recognizing various forms of military and civil service. Among the most notable were:
The Iron Cross (EK 1813)
The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire and Nazi Germany.
The Order of Saint John (Johanniter Order)
The Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the Hospital at Jerusalem is the oldest surviving chivalry order.
The House Order of Hohenzollern
The House Order of Hohenzollern is a dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Hohenzollern awarded to officers and civilians.
The Order of the Red Eagle
The Order of the Red Eagle (Roter Adlerorden) was an order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to military personnel and civilians.
The Order of the Black Eagle
The Order of the Black Eagle was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. It was founded in 1701 by Elector Friedrich III.
All Pre-WW1 German Medals
Before World War I, Germany had a rich tradition of medals, orders, and decorations that recognized various forms of military and civil service. These awards honored individuals for bravery in battle, exemplary leadership, and significant contributions to the state. This system of recognition played a crucial role in acknowledging distinguished individuals and their contributions to various sectors of German society.
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a prominent and influential state in Central Europe from 1701 to 1918. Its development, military prowess, and role in German unification make it a significant part of European history.
The Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg)
The Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg) was established as the Order of Saint John or the Johanniter Order in 1099.
The Charlotte Cross
The Charlotte Cross was a decoration founded in 1916 by King Wilhelm II to honor his wife and awarded for care-related services.
The Cross of the Mount of Olives
The Cross of the Mount of Olives is a Prussian award founded in 1909 to commemorate the foundation of a hospital on the Mount of Olives.
The Jerusalem Cross
The Jerusalem Memorial Cross is a Prussian decoration established in 1898 and awarded to those who visited Palestine with the King.
The Lifesaving Medal
The Lifesaving Medal was a civil decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to those who had saved a person’s life at risk to their own.
Austro-Hungarian Empire
The Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy, was a major political entity in Central Europe from 1867 to 1918. Formed through the union of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, it played a crucial role in European affairs during its existence.
The Mobilization Cross 1912/13
The Mobilization Cross 1912/13 was awarded to military personnel who served with a mobilized unit in response to the Balkan crisis.
The Military Merit Medal (Austria-Hungary)
The Military Merit Medal is a military decoration of the Empire of Austria-Hungary only awarded to officers and officials of similar rank.
The Merit Cross for Military Chaplains
The Merit Cross for Military Chaplains was awarded to military chaplains for outstanding acts in wartime and meritorious service in peacetime.
The Austrian Decoration for Services to the Red Cross
The Decoration for Services to the Red Cross was an award instituted in 1914 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention.
The Imperial Order of Elizabeth (Austria)
The Imperial Austrian Order of Elizabeth was an order created for women in 1898 by Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
Kingdom of Bavaria
The Kingdom of Bavaria was a prominent state in Central Europe that existed from 1806 to 1918. It played a significant role in German and European history, known for its rich cultural heritage, political influence, and economic development.
The Order of Theresa
The Order of Theresa is an Kingdom of Bavaria order for noble ladies founded in 1827 by Queen Therese of Bavaria, wife of King Ludwig I.
The Order of Saint Elizabeth
The Order of Saint Elizabeth was an all-female chivalric and charitable order established in 1766 in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
The Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art
The Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art was awarded to acknowledge and reward excellent and outstanding achievements.
The Military Merit Cross (Bavaria)
The Bavarian Military Merit Cross was the Kingdom’s main decoration for bravery and military merit for enlisted soldiers.
The Military Merit Order (Bavaria)
The Bavarian Military Merit Order was established in1866 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was the kingdom’s main decoration for bravery.
Kingdom of Saxony
The Kingdom of Saxony was established in 1806 when Elector Frederick Augustus III of Saxony declared himself King Frederick Augustus I. The House of Wettin, one of Europe’s oldest dynasties, ruled Saxony throughout its existence as a kingdom. Notable monarchs included King Frederick Augustus I, King John, and King Albert, each contributing to the state’s stability and development.
The Order of Sidonia
The Order of Sidonia was created on March 14, 1871 by King Johann the German. It’s the Kingdom of Saxony’s chivalric order for women.
The Albert Order
The Albert Order was created in 1850 to be awarded to anyone who had served the state well, for civil virtue, science and art.
The Civil Order of Saxony
The Civil Order of Saxony is a general order of merit established on 7 June 1815 by King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony.
The Military Order of St. Henry
The Military Order of St. Henry is a military order of the Kingdom of Saxony and the oldest military order of the German Empire.
The Order of the Rue Crown
The Order of the Rue Crown is a dynastic order of knighthood of the Kingdom of Saxony created in 1807 by Frederick Augustus I.
Other Imperial German Medals
The German Empire was composed of 25 states, including four kingdoms, six grand duchies, five duchies, seven principalities, and three Hanseatic cities (each with its own medals and decorations). Here is a list of all awards.
Or go to: Medals of the Kingdom of Württemberg
The Württemberg Charlotte Cross
The Württemberg Charlotte Cross was established on January 5, 1916, by King William II of Württemberg. It was named in honor of his wife.
The Württemberg Order of Olga
The Württemberg Order of Olga was established by King Karl I of Württemberg on June 27, 1871, in honor of his queen consort.
The Friedrich Order
The Friedrich Order was a prestigious order of merit in the German Kingdom of Württemberg. It was instituted on January 1, 1830.
The Württemberg Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown was initially established in 1702 as the St.-Hubertus-Jagdorden (Hunting Order of St Hubert) but renamed in 1807.
The Ordre de la Sincérité (Order of Sincerity)
The Ordre de la Sincérité was a knighthood order established in 1705 by the House of Hohenzollern in the German Margrave of Bayreuth.
The Order of the Zähringer Lion
The Order of the Zähringer Lion was instituted on 26 December 1812 by the Grand Duke of Baden in memory of the Dukes of Zähringen.
The Württemberg Military Merit Order
The Military Merit Order (Militärverdienstorden) was a military order of the Kingdom of Württemberg, which joined the German Empire in 1871.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.
The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal for Combatants 1848-1849
The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal for 1848-1849 Campaign was instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV on August 23, 1851.
The Alsen Cross
The Alsen Cross (Alsenkreuz) is a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia established in 1864 to commemorate the victorious Battle of Alsen.
The Duppel Storm Cross
The Düppel Storm Cross was a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to Prussian participants in the Battle of Dybbøl.
