September 25, 20241 yr #1 Interesting reference material from around the internet on this under - researched award. With the approval of the President of the German Red Cross, the awards previously presented were replaced by the Decoration of Honor for German Public Care. It was founded on May 1, 1939 by decree of Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. It was awarded in 4 classes (levels) for services in the field of public welfare, winter relief, care of the sick and wounded in war and peace, rescue services and care and welfare of Germans abroad. The 4th level represents the medal for German public welfare. If a higher level was awarded, the decoration had to be returned to the presidential chancellery. If the recipient died, the medal remained with the surviving dependents. From 1942, the medal for services in the face of particular dangers in war could also be awarded with swords on the ribbon. In the Whermacht the medal was awarded from first lieutenant downwards. It was possible to award it to members of the Reich and foreigners. From 1942 onwards, a two-year period of employment was required for public welfare. Awards could also be given on milestone anniversaries and birthdays. NSV nurses were eligible if they had worked in an epidemic hospital or directly in the care and nursing of the wounded for 1 year. The awards took place on January 30th and May 1st. Exceptions were possible. The medal included a certificate with a facsimile of Adolf Hitler and the head of the presidential office. By 1940, around 47,000 medals had been awarded. Source: J. Nimmergut, German orders and decorations until 1945, Vol. IV, 2001. Partial List Of Sources: 1. https://www.ehrenzeichen-orden.de/nationalsozialismus/ehrenzeichen-fur-deutsche-volkspflege-4-klasse-medaille.html 2. https://www.tracesofwar.com/awards/1558/Medaille-zum-Ehrenzeichen-für-Deutsche-Volkspflege.htm 3. https://landser.com/drk-social-welfare-red-cross-medal/ 4. https://bhzmilitaria.com/en/militaria-winkel/producten-archief/ehrenzeichen-fur-deutsche-volkspflege/ 5. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/orders-decorations-third-reich/social-welfare-medal-medaille-fa-r-deutsche-volkspflege-456169/
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