Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, Military Division, Fourth Class

Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, Fourth Class, Military Division, with swords. A silver cross pattée with gilt crossed swords between the arms. Obverse: In the centre disc the crowned red eagle of Brandenburg, above a green laurel branch, charged with a small white and black quartered shield of Hohenzollern. Reverse: On the central disc the crowned monogram 'FW'. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender on the top arm and has a piece of 30 mm black ribbon with a 6 mm white stripe near each edge.

The Order of the Red Eagle was awarded to both military personnel and civilians, to recognize valour in combat, excellence in military leadership, long and faithful service to the kingdom, or other achievements. As with most German (and many other European) orders, the Order of the Red Eagle could only be awarded to commissioned officers or civilians of approximately equivalent status. However, there was a medal of the order, which could be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, lower ranking civil servants and other civilians. There are five classes to the order which originated in 1705 as the Order 'de la Sincerite' of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. The Order has different designs for the various periods of issue. This example is the Fourth Class, 4th type, manufactured from 1854 to 1918. It was awarded with swords for military merit. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.