The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a military
decoration of Germany which was established by King
Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10
March 1813. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime and
is presented in grades depending on the rank of the
servicemember. In addition to the Napoleonic Wars, the
Iron Cross was awarded during the Franco-Prussian War,
and the First and Second World Wars. It has not been
awarded since May 1945.
The Iron Cross is perhaps most directly associated as a medal of Nazi Germany. However, it remains a powerful military symbol in German culture and was taken up again by West Germany's military forces (the Bundeswehr) in 1955.
Contents
1 Design
2 Early awards
3 Second World War
3.1 Iron Cross
3.2 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
3.3 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1939)
3.4 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1939)
4 Side features of the Iron Cross and entitlements
5 Post-WWII