Political decorations of the Nazi Party were medals and awards issued by the

National Socialist German Workers Party The Nazi Party, officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party (german: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), was a far-right political party in Germany active between 1920 and 1945 that created and supported t ...

(NSDAP) between 1920 and 1945. Political awards were authorized for wear on any

paramilitary A paramilitary is an organization whose structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but is not part of a country's official or legitimate armed forces. Paramilitary units carr ...

uniform of

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...

, as well as

civilian Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not "combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant, b ...

attire, but were generally discouraged (but not forbidden) on

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previous ...

military uniforms. The

Waffen-SS The (, "Armed SS") was the combat branch of the Nazi Party's ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) organisation. Its formations included men from Nazi Germany, along with Waffen-SS foreign volunteers and conscripts, volunteers and conscripts from both occup ...

freely wore both political awards and

military decorations Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ...

on their uniforms. Civil decorations were considered the lowest order of medals, after military decorations and political decorations of the Nazi Party. Civil decorations were authorized for display on civilian clothing and paramilitary uniforms of the Nazi Party; however, their wear was often prohibited on active duty military uniforms of the Wehrmacht; the notable exception to this were sports badges, which were granted the same status as military qualification awards. The public wear of all Nazi Party awards was banned in Germany after 1945.

Political decorations

The various degrees of Nazi Party decorations were as follows:

German Order

This was the highest

award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An awar ...

that the Nazi Party could bestow on an individual. Adolf Hitler regarded this award as his personal decoration to be bestowed only upon those whose services to the state, party, and the people, he deemed worthy. There were eleven confirmed recipients of this award between 1942 and 1945.

Golden Party Badge

The first 100,000 members who had joined and had uninterrupted service in the

Nazi Party The Nazi Party, officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party (german: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), was a far-right politics, far-right political party in Germany active between 1920 and 1945 that crea ...

were given the right to wear the ''Golden Party Badge'' (Goldenes Parteiabzeichen), shown above. Those badges had the recipient's membership number on the back (Adolf Hitler had badge #1). Other Golden Party Badges (with the initials A.H. on the back) were awarded at the discretion of Hitler to certain members of the party who merited special attention. An identical badge was awarded each year on 30 January to persons who had shown outstanding service to the Party or State.

Blood Order medal

The Blood Order (german: Blutorden), officially known as the "Decoration in Memory (of the

Munich putsch The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch,Dan Moorhouse, ed schoolshistory.org.uk, accessed 2008-05-31.Known in German as the or was a failed coup d'état by Nazi Party ( or NSDAP) leader Adolf Hitler, Erich Ludendorff and oth ...

) of 9 November 1923" (''Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 9. November 1923''), authorized by Hitler in March 1934, was one of the most prestigious decorations in the Nazi Party.

Party badges

Coburg Badge The Coburg Badge (''Das Coburger Abzeichen'') was the first badge recognised as a national award of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). History On 14 October 1922 Adolf Hitler led 800 members of the SA from Munich and other Bavarian cities by train to Cobur ...

(1922) *

Nuremberg Party Day Badge The Nuremberg Party Day Badge (German: ''Das Nürnberger Parteiabzeichen von 1929'') was a highly revered political decoration of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). It was the second badge recognised as a national award of the party. Also known as the "192 ...

(1929) * Brunswick Rally Badge (1931) * Frontbann Badge *

Danzig Cross The Danzig Cross () was a Nazi decoration of the Free City of Danzig. The Cross was instituted on 31 August 1939 as a two grade decoration by Danzig ''Gauleiter'' Albert Forster. It was awarded to those, both in Danzig and in the wider Reich, who ...

(awarded in 1st and 2nd class) *

NSDAP Long Service Award The Nazi Party Long Service Award (''Die Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP''), sometimes called the NSDAP Long Service Award, was a political award in the form of a badge of the Nazi Party. History The award was given in three grades of ten years, ...

: Given in three grades; awarded for 10, 15, and 25 years of service *

Honour Chevron for the Old Guard The Honour Chevron for the Old Guard (german: Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer) was a Nazi Party decoration worn by members of the SS. The silver chevron, which was worn on the upper sleeve on the right arm, was authorised by Adolf Hitler in Febr ...

: Designated those who joined the Party before

Hitler Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor in 1933 and then ...

became

Chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

. It was worn on the right sleeve. The leaders of Nazi political districts (known as the

Gauleiter A ''Gauleiter'' () was a regional leader of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) who served as the head of a ''Administrative divisions of Nazi Germany, Gau'' or ''Reichsgau''. ''Gauleiter'' was the third-highest Ranks and insignia of the Nazi Party, rank in ...

) were empowered to bestow Gau Badges for a variety of services rendered to the local political organization. The badges were issued in Silver and Gold, with some in Bronze. They were rarely issued in Gold with Diamonds. In November 1936, Hitler gave new "orders" as to the "Orders and Awards" of the Nazi Party to be bestowed. The top NSDAP awards are listed in the order: 1. Coburg Badge; 2. Nuremberg Party Day Badge; 3. Brunswick Rally Badge; 4. Golden Party Badge; 5. The Blood Order; followed by the Gau badges and the Golden Hitler Youth Badge.

SS and Police decorations

SS Chevron for Former Police and Military The SS Chevron for Former Police and Military (german: SS-Ehrenwinkel mit Stern für ehemalige Polizei- und Wehrmachtsangehörige) was a prior service qualification badge worn by members of the Nazi Party ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) who had previously s ...

SS Membership Runes for Order Police SS is an abbreviation for ''Schutzstaffel'', a paramilitary organisation in Nazi Germany. SS, Ss, or similar may also refer to: Places * Guangdong Experimental High School (''Sheng Shi'' or ''Saang Sat''), China *Province of Sassari, Italy (veh ...

* SS Long Service Award *

Police Long Service Award The Police Long Service Award (Germany) (''Polizei-Dienstauszeichnung'') was a long service medal awarded to active members of the German Police during the era of Nazi Germany as a political award. Professor Richard Klein designed the awards, whi ...

* Totenkopf Ring * SS Honor Sword * SS Julleuchter *

SS Zivilabzeichen The SS Zivilabzeichen (-Z.A.) was a Political decorations of the Nazi Party#SS and Police Decorations, badge of the SS issued between the years of 1933 and 1938 to SS members. Translated as "SS Civil Badge", the ''SS Zivilabzeichen'' was a small l ...

Germanic-SS decorations

Awards specific to individual nationalistic

Germanic-SS The Germanic SS () was the collective name given to paramilitary and political organisations established in parts of German-occupied Europe between 1939 and 1945 under the auspices of the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS). The units were modeled on the '' ...

organizations were as follows: *

Germanic Proficiency Runes The SA Sports Badge was a decoration of Nazi Germany that was issued between the years 1933 and 1945. It was a political version of the much more generic German Sports Badge, which was also issued in great numbers by the Nazis. At its center was ...

(bronze and silver) * SS Sports Badge (Netherlands) * SS Honor Sports Badge (Netherlands) * Brave and Faithful Order (Norway) * Førergarde Membership Badge (Norway) * Front Fighters Badge (Norway) * (Netherlands) * Mussert-Garde Commemorative Pin (Netherlands) * Schalburg Cross (Denmark) * State Police Honor Cross (Norway) * W.A. Sports Badge (Netherlands)

SA decorations

SA Sports Badge The SA Sports Badge was a decoration of Nazi Germany that was issued between the years 1933 and 1945. It was a political version of the much more generic German Sports Badge, which was also issued in great numbers by the Nazis. At its center was ...

(bronze, silver and gold) * Service Entry Badge of ''

Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten ' (German, 'The Steel Helmet, League of Front-Line Soldiers'), commonly known as ''Der Stahlhelm'' ('The Steel Helmet'), was a German First World War veteran's organisation existing from 1918 to 1935. It was part of the "Black Reichswehr" and ...

NSFK decorations

* The Free Balloon Pilot Badge * The Motor Aircraft Pilot Badge (''Das Abzeichen für Motorflugzeugführer'') * The Large Glider Flyer Badge (''Das Große Segelfliegerabzeichen'')

Hitler Youth The Hitler Youth (german: Hitlerjugend , often abbreviated as HJ, ) was the youth organisation of the Nazi Party in Germany. Its origins date back to 1922 and it received the name ("Hitler Youth, League of German Worker Youth") in July 1926. ...
decorations

Hitler Youth awards were as follows: * Hitler Youth Badge (including versions in gold and with oakleaves) * Hitler Youth Badge for Distinguished Foreigners * Hitler Youth Leader's Sports Badge * Hitler Youth Proficiency Badge * Hitler Youth shooting badges

Other German sports decorations

* German Olympic Decoration (awarded in 1st and 2nd class) *

German Sports Badge The German Sports Badge (German: ''Deutsches Sportabzeichen'' (DSA)) is a decoration of the German Olympic Sports Federation DOSB. The German Sports Badge test is carried out primarily in Germany, and in other countries abroad. History The Germ ...

* Horseman's Badge * Horse Driver's Badge

Civil awards

German National Prize for Art and Science Through statutes of 30 January 1937, the German National Order for Art and Science (german: Der Deutscher Nationalorden für Kunst und Wissenschaft) was an award created by Adolf Hitler as a replacement for the Nobel Prize (he had forbidden German ...

* Badge for the Academy of Aeronautical Research * National Senate of Culture Badge * Goethe Medallion for Art and Science * National Food Estate Medallion *

Social Welfare Decoration The Social Welfare Decoration (german: Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege) was a German Civil Award created by Adolf Hitler on 1 May 1939 for services in the social sector. The decoration was issued in three classes and was awarded for a wi ...

(awarded in 1st, 2nd and 3rd class) * Medal of Social Welfare * Faithful Service Medal (gold, silver and special class) *

Cross of Honor of the German Mother The Cross of Honour of the German Mother (), referred to colloquially as the ''Mutterehrenkreuz'' (Mother's Cross of Honour) or simply ''Mutterkreuz'' (Mother's Cross), was a state decoration conferred by the government of the German ReichStatuto ...

(bronze, silver, and gold) * Lifesaving Medallion * Fire Brigade Decoration (awarded in 1st and 2nd class) * Mine Rescue Medal * Civil Defense Decoration (awarded in 1st and 2nd class) * War Merit Medal

Diplomatic awards

* Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle * Special Grade Order of the German Eagle *

Order of the German Eagle The Order of Merit of the German Eagle (german: Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler) was an award of the German Nazi regime, predominantly to foreign diplomats. The Order was instituted on 1 May 1937 by Adolf Hitler. It ceased to be awarded follo ...

(five classes) * Medal of the Order of the German Eagle (bronze and silver) All German Eagle decorations were awarded both with and without swords and could be upgraded to a gold version and also gold with diamonds. The German Eagle was intended as an award for foreigners while the Special Grade (without degree) was awarded to Germans.

Labor and trade decorations

* Pioneer of Labor Award * Fritz Todt Award *

Reichsberufswettkampf The Reichsberufswettkampf (translated as "Reich vocational contest" or "national trade competition") was an annual vocational competition held in Nazi Germany as part of the ''Gleichschaltung'' of German society. The competition was organised by ...

* Defense Economy Leader's Badge * Customs Service Decoration * Labor Service Ribbon (for 25, 18, 12, and 4 years of service)

German Red Cross The German Red Cross (german: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz ; DRK) is the national Red Cross Society in Germany. With 4 million members, it is the third largest Red Cross society in the world. The German Red Cross offers a wide range of services within ...
awards

German Red Cross Decoration The German Red Cross Decoration (german: Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes) is a decoration founded in 1922, replaced by the Social Welfare Decoration in 1939 and re-founded in its present form on 8 May 1953. It is awarded by the Germa ...

(awarded in four classes) * German Red Cross Medal

Notes

References

* * * * *{{cite book , last= Lumsden , first= Robin , title= Medals and Decorations of Hitler's Germany , publisher= Zenith Books, Osceola, Wisconsin , year= 2001 , isbn= 0760311331 Civil awards and decorations of Germany

civil Civil may refer to: *Civic virtue, or civility *Civil action, or lawsuit * Civil affairs *Civil and political rights *Civil disobedience *Civil engineering *Civil (journalism), a platform for independent journalism *Civilian, someone not a membe ...

de:Liste der Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP