Awards

Awards

As you fight with the unit, you will become eligible to earn awards. Most of these awards mirror to some degree, the criteria required to earn the actual medals in the German Army.

Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-sturmabzeichen) :
20 combat days. Silver award only (bronze was awarded to Panzergrenadier). Worn on left breast pocket.

General Assault Badge (Allgemeine-sturmabzeichen):
20 combat days for support personnel: medics, administrative/ auxiliary, Feldgendarmerie, signals, etc. Worn on left breast pocket

Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange):
Bronze: 65 combat days. Worn above left breast pocket.

Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen):
Black: Legitimate injuries received in service of the 352. Infanteriedivision requiring emergency medical care.
Silver: Awarded only to members of the unit that have received the Purple Heart. Member must have 6 months of participation in the unit before issuance and present an award certificate, DD214, or other government document. Worn on left breast pocket.

Sudetenland Anschluss Medal
(Die Medaille zur Erinnering an den 1 Oktober 1939):
For participation in at least 4 out of state events attended by the 352. As this was a pre-war issued medal, a minimum age restriction of 25 years old is required for wear. Worn on a ribbon bar above the left breast pocket.

Russian Front Medal (Ostmedaille):
12 Ostfront combat days, and 3 combat days w/ snow ( 50% min coverage). Worn either in the second buttonhole, or on a ribbon bar above left breast pocket.

Grenadier Commendation (Grenadier Auszeichnung):
For outstanding service to the unit, or to recognize special contributions from a unit member. Presented as a certificate.

War Merit Cross Second Class without Swords
(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse ohne schwerten):
For service to the unit above and beyond normal participation. Instances include maintaining large amounts of loaner uniforms, equipment, and/or weapons; recruiting four or more lasting members to the unit, or other special services rendered to the unit. Worn either in the second buttonhole, or on a ribbon bar above left breast pocket.

War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords
(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit schwerten):
Unit members who have honorably served or are presently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Active, Reserve, or NG. Member must have 6 months of participation in the unit and present a DD214 or other government document. Worn either in the second buttonhole or on a ribbon bar above left breast pocket.

War Merit Cross First Class with Swords
(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse mit schwerten):
Meet or exceed the criteria for the War Merit Cross 2nd Class without swords. Further sustained unit service above and beyond normal requirements. Must have already received the War Merit Cross 2nd Class (with or without swords). On rare occasions, both the 2nd and 1st class awards were issued simultaneously. Worn on left breast pocket.

Iron Cross Second Class (Eiserne Kreuz 2.Klasse):
15 battle days and distinguish oneself in a heroic manner against the enemy. Examples include: destroy enemy positions single-handedly, successfully lead assaults, or knock-out numerous enemy vehicles. Worn in the second buttonhole, or on a ribbon bar above left breast pocket.

Tank destruction Badge (Panzervernichttungsabzeichen):
Destroy an enemy tank with a Panzerfaust, or field-expedient explosive and survive the engagement. Does not apply to armored cars or half-tracks. Worn on the upper right sleeve.

Marksmanship Lanyard (Schutzenschnur):
For shooting in the upper percentile during a unit live-fire shoot, with standards that replicate as close as possible those of the Wehrmacht. Infantry-pattern lanyard shield only, with either pre-war or wartime design.

Notes on Awards:

1. Awards not authorized for wear at any time:

Knights Cross: The Wehrmacht’s equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor.

German Cross in Gold/Silver: A high-level award that fell between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knights Cross. Mostly awarded to unit commanders and not seen worn by the common soldier.

Any NSDAP or Hitler Youth awards: Generally not seen worn by soldiers of the Heer.

Any SS, Polezei, or Security award (e.g., the Anti-Partisan Badge): Not seen worn by Heer front-line units.

2. Five-award rule: regardless of how many awards won, only five may be worn at any one time. Wearer’s preference.

3. The issuance of awards will be decided collectively by the NCO committee (all unit NCO’s), with the unit leader as the final authority. Criteria for any award not covered here, or decorations previously awarded by other units, will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.