- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 30 January 1938
- Country: Germany
The SS Long Service Awards (or SS-Dienstauszeichnungen in German) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppen (SS Dispositional Troops), SS-Totenkopfverbänden (Death’s Head Units) und SS-Junkerschulen (Junker Schools). It was first introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938.
The four and eight-year service awards were in the form of circular medals while the 12 and 25-year service awards were in the form of swastikas. According to historian Chris Ailsby the awards ceased to be given at the end of 1941.
The grades are awarded to the respective ranks as follows:
- 1st Class (Gold) for 25 years true service awards to eligable Officers, NCO’s and Men
- 2nd Class (Silver) for 12 years true service awards to eligable Officers, NCO’s and Men
- 3th Class (Bronze) for 8 years true service awards to eligable Officers, NCO’s and Men
- 4th Class (Black) for 4 yrs true service for eligable NCO’s and Men.
The four-year and eight-year awards were the most common awards, and despite the fact that the Nazi movement lasted for little over 25 years, awards of the 25-year version were made well before 25 years of actual service were completed. This was because Kampfzeit (or “Time of Struggle”) counted double. Nevertheless, this was one of the rarer awards given out by Nazi Germany.
The SS Long Service Awards Design
The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch, an artist and the Schutzstaffel (SS) officer responsible for designing much of the SS regalia in the Third Reich, including the chained SS officer’s dagger scabbard.
On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS (“For Loyal Service in the SS”).
The awards varied in design depending on the length of service of the recipient, and the branches of the Wehrmacht (Luftwaffe, Heer and Kriegsmarine) had different insignia. The Nazi Party and German Police also had a similar service award.
The four-year service award had a black finish and was awarded only to NCOs and enlisted men. The four-year service medal was manufactured by the firm Petz & Lorenz.
