Oldenburg Frederich August Cross, First Class

Oldenburg Frederich August Cross, First Class. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: A convex blackened cross pattée with a laurel wreath between the arms and 'FA' in the centre within a circle. There is a crown on the upper arm and '1914' on the lower arm. Reverse: Plain with a vertical brooch pin.

The Friedrich August Cross was Oldenburg's equivalent of the Prussian Iron Cross. It was founded on 24 September 1914. Like the Iron Cross, it came in two classes - a pin back 1st Class and a 2nd Class worn from a ribbon. The ribbon was the same as that of the Oldenburg House and Merit Order - blue with a red stripe near each edge. For non-combatant awards, the colours were reversed. On 20 September 1918 the Grand Duke authorised an additional honour, a clasp with the words 'Vor dem Feinde' (before the enemy) to be worn on the ribbon for the 2nd Class Cross. Approximately 6,900 awards were made of the 1st Class Cross. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.