Instituted by Adolf Hitler in 1939, the War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service in battle above and beyond the call of duty (but not worthy of an Iron Cross which was more a bravery award), and without swords for meritorious service behind the lines which could also be awarded to civilians. Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level. There was also another version below the 2nd class simply called the War Merit Medal (Kriegsverdienstmedaille), set up in 1940 for civilians in order to offset the large number of 2nd class without swords being awarded. It was usually given to those workers in factories who significantly exceeded work quotas.

Award Ceremony October 1943 for recipients of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross

War Merit Cross 2nd Class

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse)

Award document for the War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse)

Parade Bar with War Merit Cross 2nd Class

War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse Mit Schwertern)

Award document for the War Merit Cross 2nd class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse Mit Schwertern)

Members of the Luftwaffe receiving the War Merit Cross 2nd class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse Mit Schwertern)

Parade bar with War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords

Parade bar with War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords in wear

War Merit Cross 1st Class

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse)

War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse Mit Schwertern)

Award document for the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse

War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords in wear

War Merit Medal

(Kriegsverdienstmedaille)

Award document for the War Merit Medal

Parade bar with War Merit Medal

Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross

A total of 118 awards of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords, and 137 awards of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross without swords were awarded

Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross without swords

(Jody Beltram collection)

Knight's Cross to the War Merit Cross without Swords in wear

Knight's Cross to the War Merit Cross with Swords in wear