| Decorations of Honour of the Bundeswehr Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr | |
|---|---|
 Gold Cross of Honour, for exemplary and meritorious service | |
| Type | Military Medal |
| Awarded for | Valor or meritorious service |
| Description | Comes in five classes: gold with clasp for bravery. Gold, silver, bronze crosses & bronze medal |
| Presented by | Federal Republic of Germany |
| Eligibility | Soldiers of the German armed forces and of allied nations, civilians who rendered outstanding services to the German armed forces |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | October 29, 1980 and October 10, 2008 |
| Website | https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/about-bundeswehr/identity-of-the-bundeswehr/bundeswehr-decorations-awards/badge-of-honour-bundeswehr  |
The Decorations of Honour of the Bundeswehr (German: Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr) are a series of military decorations of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. These honours and awards were introduced in 1980 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Bundeswehr by then Minister of Defence Hans Apel[1] and subsequently approved by President of the Federal Republic Karl Carstens.
The first awards were made on November 6, 1980.[2] In 2008, the decorations were updated and received three grades exclusively reserved for heroic deeds. The new awards were the result of a petition by German citizens to restore the order of the Iron Cross.
- ^ On the approval of the Foundation and awarding of medals and decorations (6th decree, issued 29.10.1980) (in German), from the Federal Ministry of Justice
- ^ Reply to "introduce a bravery award for Bundeswehr soldiers" (in German), from direktzurkanzlerin.de (the German Chancellery)