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Friedrich-August-Kreuz

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Friedrich-August Cross
Friedrich-August-Kreuz
Military Cross 2nd class (top left)
Civil Cross 2nd class (top right)
Cross 1st class (bottom)
TypeTwo-class medal, 2nd and 1st class
Awarded forOutstanding service during the war
DescriptionAn iron cross, encircled with a wreath, with a center medallion inscribed with the monarch's monogram, "FA". There is a crown on the upper arm and "1914" on the lower.
CountryGrand Duchy of Oldenburg, German Empire
Presented byGrand Duke of Oldenburg
EligibilityMilitary and civilians
CampaignWorld War I
ClaspsOn 20 September 1918. a black iron ribbon bar was added to the 2nd class for merit at the front, inscribed "VOR DEM FEINDE" (Before the Enemy).
StatusObsolete
Established24 September 1914
First award1914
Final award1918

Ribbon (military award)
Ribbon (civilian award)

The Friedrich-August Cross (German: Friedrich-August-Kreuz) was a decoration of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, which was a member state of the German Empire. It was established and awarded during World War I. It became obsolete with the dissolution of the grand duchy and the abdication of its monarch during the German revolution of 1918–1919.

Establishment

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The Friedrich-August Cross was established on 24 September 1914 by Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg, shortly after the outbreak of World War I. It was a war decoration consisting of two classes.[1]

Eligibility criteria

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The decoration could be awarded to civilians as well as to military personnel. The criteria required that the recipients had to be from the Grand Duchy or to have had a close connection to the Grand Duke or his realm, and had to have "distinguished themselves outstandingly in the war". Within the military, it was available to officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. The 1st class medal could only be awarded after the 2nd class had been received, and it was always worn together with the latter.[2]

Description

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The medal consisted of a cross pattée struck from black iron. Between the arms, which featured a raised border, was a laurel wreath. The lower graded 2nd class cross was suspended by a ribbon from a wire loop and suspension ring on the top. The higher graded 1st class cross was slightly larger and was worn on the left side of the chest without a ribbon, and was attached via a hinged pin on the reverse.[2]

Obverse

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A central circular medallion, featuring a raised border, displayed the monarch's monogram FA. The image of a crown was inscribed on the upper arm of the cross and 1914 on the lower arm.[3]

Reverse

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Same as the obverse, but with no inscriptions.[3]

Size

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The central medallion had a diameter of 19 mm for the 2nd class and 22 mm for the 1st class.[3]

Ribbon

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For military recipients, the ribbon was 35 mm wide, a dark cornflower blue with two poppy-red side stripes, each 5.5 mm wide. For civilian recipients, the ribbon was also 35 mm wide but with the colors reversed, poppy-red with two dark cornflower blue side stripes, each 5 mm wide and spaced 1.5 mm from the edges.[3]

Front line medal bar

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For merit at the front, a black iron medal bar was added to the 2nd class award by a decree dated 20 September 1918. This medal bar measured 6 mm in height and 34 mm in width, and bore the inscription VOR DEM FEINDE (Before the Enemy) on a stippled background. It was attached to the 2nd class ribbon.[3]

Selected recipients

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First class

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Second class

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References

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Sources

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  • Friedhelm Beyreiß: Der Hausorden und die tragbaren Ehrenzeichen des Großherzogtum Oldenburg 1813-1918. (1997) Norderstedt: Militair-Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 3-931533-31-X
  • Hessenthal, Waldemar von; Schreiber, Georg (2001). Honours and Awards of the German States. Naval & Military Press. ISBN 978-1-843-42144-3.

Further reading

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  • Donald G. Neville: Medals, Ribbons & Orders of Imperial Germany & Austria. (1974) Balfour Publications. ISBN 0-85944-009-5
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