Kriegsehrenkreuz für heldenmütige Tat, Military medal in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
The Kriegsehrenkreuz für heldenmütige Tat is a military decoration from Lippe featuring a patented cross with curved arms and the Lippe rose in the center surrounded by a laurel wreath. The surface is made of gilded bronze and was manufactured exclusively by C.F. Zimmermann in Pforzheim.
Prince Leopold IV of Lippe established this military decoration on 8 December 1914 to recognize individual acts of valor during World War I. The decoration was created at a time when the principality sought to honor its soldiers and acknowledge their efforts on the battlefield.
The cross displays the five-petaled Lippe rose, a traditional symbol of the principality, along with the inscription 'For Heroic Deed' on its arms. This emblem held great meaning for soldiers at the time as a mark of personal recognition for their bravery.
The cross measures 46 millimeters in diameter and weighs 19.2 grams, making it relatively compact and portable. When viewing examples on display, it is helpful to know that the craftsmanship and gilded material have allowed it to remain well-preserved over the decades.
Historical records indicate that exactly 740 medals were awarded, with special silver versions created for high-ranking recipients. These silver variants bore an 800 hallmark on the reverse, distinguishing them as honor medals for those in positions of greater responsibility.
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