German Red Cross Decoration

The German Red Cross Decoration (Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes) is a decoration founded in 1922, replaced by the Social Welfare Decoration in 1939 and re-founded in its present form on 8 May 1953. It is awarded by the German Red Cross.

Precursor
After the end of the First World War, according to the provisions of the Weimar Constitution (Art. 109), medals and decorations were no longer allowed to be awarded by the state. At the German Red Cross, however, there was a particularly great need to thank mainly foreign Red Cross representatives for the reconstruction help after the World War by awarding decorations. After intensive consultations with government agencies, the parliamentary parties in the Reichstag and bolstered by reports, the German Red Cross decided at their general meeting in May 1922 to adopt a foundation deed.