- Time Period: The Great War
- Institution: 24 June 1918
- Country: Germany
The Naval Wound Badge (or Verwundetenabzeichen für Angehörige der Marine in German) is a badge from IMperial Germany established on 24 June 1918 by Emperor Wilhelm II in the same classes and under the same regulations as the Army badge.
The Wound Badge in Silver was awarded for three or four wounds to members of the Imperial Navy, which were wounded at a sea-fight. Although it was introduced at the closing stage of the Great War, since 1936 all the veterans who were wounded but never received a badge were eligible for that award upon presentation of a documented proof. Another step forward was made on April 20, 1939, when the Ministry of Interior Affairs applied the same procedure to the former military personnel wounded in action during the Great War who were permanent residents of Austria, Sudetenland and Memel, annexed by that time. Thus Army and Naval Wound Badges (model 1918) were presented to veterans until late 1941.
The Naval Wound Badge Design
The badge has the shape of a vertical oval, but unlike the Army Wound Badge it was formed by an anchor chain.
The obverse bears an anchor with two superimposed crossed swords pointing upwards and situated in the middle of the badge. Issued pieces were seamless with a pebbled surface, while privately purchased badges in most cases had elegant cut-out design.
