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The Iron Cross: History & Types of this Prussian German Military Medal

The Iron Cross was a Prussian military decoration established in 1813. This award from Napoleonic times also became popular in Nazi Germany.

The Iron Cross was a Prussian military decoration established in 1813. This award from Napoleonic times also became popular in Nazi Germany. The Iron Cross was almost always a military decoration, although there are instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions.

When was the Iron Cross Established?

The Iron Cross was established by King Frederick William III of Prussia on 17 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. This award is commonly referred to as EK 1813 (from Eisernes Kreuz, Iron Cross in German). The medal was backdated to the birthday of the King’s late wife Queen Louise, on 10 March. She was the first person to ever receive this award, posthumously. 

What's the Meaning of the Iron Cross?

Tannhäuser in the habit of the Teutonic Knights, from the Codex Manesse. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Iron Cross’ design, which is black with a white or silver outline, derives from the cross pattée of the Teutonic Order, a Catholic religious order founded as a military order around 1190 in Acre, Jerusalem.

This cross was sometimes used by knights (a small voluntary and mercenary military membership for the protection of Christians in the Holy Land and the Baltics in the Middle Ages) from the 13th century. The Teutonic Knights have actually been known as Zakon Krzyżacki in Polish (“Order of the Cross”).

The Prussian Army also used a black cross pattée symbol on the succeeding German Army from 1871 to March–April 1918, when the Balkenkreuz replaced it. 

What are the Different Iron Crosses?

The Iron Cross, being one of the most prestigious military decorations in German history, has had several different classes and variations – each with its own criteria and significance. Here are the main types of Iron Crosses and the time periods to which they belong:

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Further Reading About the Iron Cross

The Decoration of the President of Ukraine for Humanitarian Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation

The Decoration of the President of Ukraine for Humanitarian Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (Відзнака Президента України «За гуманітарну участь в антитерористичній операції») was established in 2016.

The award is given for humanitarian participation in Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Decorations of the President of Ukraine for Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation

The Decoration of the President of Ukraine for Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (Відзнака Президента України «За участь в антитерористичній операції») is a medal established in 2016. 

It is awarded to defenders of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the framework of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The 25 Years of Withdrawal from Afghanistan Medal

The 25 Years of Withdrawal from Afghanistan Medal (Відзнака Президента України – ам’ятна медаль 25 років виведення військ з Афганістану) is an Ukrainian decoration established in 2014. It is awarded to Soviet-Afghan War veterans.

The Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989) was a conflict where insurgent groups known collectively as the Mujahideen and smaller Marxist–Leninist–Maoist groups fought a nine-year guerrilla war against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) and the Soviet Army throughout the 1980s.

The 60 Years of Clearing of Ukraine from Fascist Aggressors Medal

The 60 Years of Clearing of Ukraine from Fascist Aggressors Medal (Відзнака Президента України — ювілейна медаль «60 років визволення України від фашистських загарбників») is a decoration of Ukraine established in 2004 for World War II veterans.

The 60 Years of Clearing of Ukraine Medal Design

The decoration is round and bears a soldier and the text “1944 2004” on the obverse.

The ribbon has the following external thin lines: Blue, yellow, black, orange and black, and a thicker central one in red.

The Medal For Labor and Victory

The Medal For Labor and Victory (Відзнака Президента України – медаль «За працю і звитягу») is a Ukrainian decoration established in 2001 for Distinguished Service.

The Medal For Labor and Victory Design

The Medal For Labor and Victory is round and bears Ukraine’s coat of arms on the obverse.

The ribbon has two external thin lines in blue and yellow, and two thicker central ones in green and red.

The Cross of Ivan Mazepa

The Cross of Ivan Mazepa (Хрест Івана Мазепи) was by the Decree of the President of Ukraine V. Yushchenko on March 26, 2009. The medal was instituted to honor persons for significant contribution to the revival of national, cultural, artistic, spiritual, architectural, military and historical heritage of Ukraine, for achievements in state, diplomatic, humanistic, scientific, educational and charitable activity.

Ivan Mazepa may be awarded the Cross posthumously.

The Cross of Ivan Mazepa Design

Ivan Mazepa’s cross is made of gilded silver and has the shape of a straight equilateral cross with extended sides, the edges of which are concave inwards. In the center of the cross there is a cartouche, on the blue background of which there is an image of a Cossack from the military seal of Hetman Ivan Mazepa.