Political decorations of the Nazi Party were medals and awards issued by the National Socialist German Workers Party between 1920 and 1945. Political awards were authorized for wear on any paramilitary uniform of Nazi Germany, as well as civilian attire, but were generally frowned upon for display (but not actually forbidden) on active duty military uniforms of the Wehrmacht. The one exception to this were the uniforms of the Waffen-SS, which freely mixed political awards and military decorations.
The various degrees of Nazi Party decorations are as follows:
Political Decorations[]
The German Order (Awarded with and without Swords) |
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The Blood Order | Golden Nazi Party Badge |
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Eagle of Sovereignty Pin[]
The Eagle of Sovereignty Pin was a special award of the Nazi Party which was intended to be held solely by Adolf Hitler. The pin was intended to denote Hitler's position as Führer of the Party and was worn as a lapel pin on a civilian jacket. The decoration was discontinued in 1934 after the Night of the Long Knives. Thereafter, Hitler regularly displayed the Golden Party Badge.[1]
Golden Nazi Party Badge[]
The first 100,000 members who had joined and had uninterrupted service in the Nazi Party were given the right to wear the Golden Nazi Party Badge (Goldenes Parteiabzeichen), shown above. Those badges had the recipient's membership number on the back (Adolf Hitler had badge #1). Other Golden Party Badges (with the initials A.H. on the back) were awarded at the discretion of Hitler to certain members of the party who merited special attention. An identical badge was awarded each year on 30 January to persons who had shown outstanding service to the Party or State.[2]
Other Nazi Badges[]
- Coburg Badge
- Nuremberg Party Day Badge (1929)
- Brunswick Rally Badge (1931)
- Frontbann Badge
- Danzig Cross (Awarded in 1st and 2nd Classes)
- NSDAP Long Service Award
- Given in three grades; awarded for 10, 15, and 25 years of service
- Designated those who joined the Party before Hitler became Chancellor. It was worn on the right sleeve.
- Steel Helmet Veterans Memorial Badge
- For membership in the Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten.
Gau Decorations[]
The leaders of Nazi policial districts (known as the Gauleiter) were empowered to bestow Gau Badges for a variety of services rendered to the local political organization. The badges were issued in Silver and Gold with some issuances in Bronze. They were rarely issued in Gold with Diamonds.
List of the Gau badges:
- Standard Gau Badge
- Munich Gau Badge
- Berlin Gau Badge
- Thuringia Gau Badge
- East Hannover Gau Badge
- East Prussia Gau Badge
- Baden Gau Badge
- Essen Gau Badge
- Danzig Gau Badge
- Wartheland Gau Badge
- Sudetenland Gau Badge
SS and Police Decorations[]
- SS Chevron for Former Police and Military
- SS Membership Runes for Order Police
- SS-SA Flyers Badge
- SS Long Service Award
- Police Long Service Award
- Totenkopf Ring
- SS Honor Sword
- SS Julleuchter
- SS Zivilabzeichen
Sports Decorations[]
- SA Sports Badge (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)
- SA Sports Badge for War Wounded
- Germanic Proficiency Runes (Silver and Bronze)
- SS Sports Badge
NSDAP Flyer Corps Decorations[]
- Powered Aircraft Badge
- Glider Pilot's Badge
- Balloon Pilot's Badge
Hitler Youth Decorations[]
- Golden Hitler Youth Badge with Oakleaves
- Hitler Youth Badge
- Hitler Youth Badge for Distinguished Foreigners
- Hitler Youth Leader's Sports Badge
- Hitler Youth Skier Badge
- Hitler Youth Marksmanship Badge
- Hitler Youth Proficiency Badge
References[]
- ↑ Speer, Albert (1970). Inside the Third Reich, Macmillan: New York and Toronto, ISBN 0-297-00015-2
- ↑ Angolia, John (1989). For Führer and Fatherland: Political & Civil Awards of the Third Reich, R. James Bender Publishing, pp. 178-179. ISBN 0-912138-16-5
External links[]
The original article can be found at Political decorations of the Nazi Party and the edit history here.