BACKGROUND: On March 16TH 1936, one year after the reintroduction of military conscription, Adolf Hitler revived an Imperial German Army tradition, by instituting the Armed Forces Long Service Awards to reward military personnel, in all branches of service, for loyal long service. The awards were established in four classes for four, twelve, eighteen and twenty-five years service respectively. The Armed Forces Long Service Awards were designed by the renown graphic artist Professor Richard Klein of Munich and all four grades were worn suspended from a cornflower blue ribbon which was adorned with a national eagle cypher. Of Note: Luftwaffe, (Air-Force), awards utilized the Luftwaffe pattern eagle cypher. On March 10TH 1939 Hitler expanded the series of Armed Forces Long Service Awards with the introduction of a gilt oak-leave cypher device to be attached to the ribbon of the twenty-five year service award to indicate forty years service. Criteria for bestowal of an Armed Forces Long Service Award stated that the individual must be on active service as of the introductory date, (March 16TH 1936). An article in the introductory order indicated that two of the Armed Forces Long Service Awards could be worn at the same time in a prescribed manner. As with other armed forces awards the Long Service Awards were issued with a possession/award certificate and a notation was entered in the recipient’s official service record.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, gilt washed alloy, 25 year long service award. Award in the form of a cross Patté with circular centerpiece with embossed Wehrmacht style eagle, with down-swept wings, on a slightly pebbled field to obverse. Reverse centerpiece has embossed numeral, "25", also on a slightly pebbled field. The cross arms have a smooth background field with triple embossed ribs to outside edges. Ribbon suspension loop and ring both intact. Award complete with ribbed, moiré, cornflower blue rayon ribbon with a Luftwaffe national eagle cypher and 40 year wreath. Nice!