Silvered zinc alloy (Kriegsmetall) cross pattée with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the then German eagle; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the figures ‘18’ in Gothic script; the raised parts worn, the surface rather pitted, the suspension loop drilled off-centre and worn; on replaced correct ribbon with Wehrmacht eagle. The Cross was instituted by the then German Führer and Reichs-Chancellor on 16 March 1936 ‘Am ersten Jahrestag der Wiedereinführung der allgemeinen Wehrpflicht stifte ich die Dienstauszeichnung als Anerkennung treuer Dienste in der neuen Wehrmacht’ (on the first anniversary of the reintroduction of general compulsory military service I institute the Service Award in recognition of faithful service in the new armed forces). The award could be made to both army and navy personnel.
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