War Cross for Civil Merit
The War Cross for civil merit was posted on February 4, 1916 by Emperor I Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary donated in four classes and was intended as a reward for civilians but also military personnel who were not directly involved in the struggle, in the First World War through have demonstrated outstanding zeal and willingness to make sacrifices, and have given the Austro-Hungarian government special support. Among other things, this was the last award that was donated during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Order decoration
The sign of the order has the shape of a paw cross and the horizontal cross arms are underlaid with a wreath of oak leaves , while the wreath rests on the vertical arms . In the enamelled medallion the golden letters of the founder FJI (Franz Joseph Imperator) and also in gold letters MERITO CIVILI TEMPORE BELLI · MCMXV · all around .
The crosses of the 1st and 2nd class are gold-plated, those of the III. Class silver-plated and those of the fourth class made of bronze . With the exception of the last class, the cross arms are also covered with enamel. The diameter of the (very rarely awarded) first class is 64 mm, for the other classes 44 mm.
Carrying method
The award was worn as a pin medal on the left chest.
Others
Only once was the first class awarded with diamonds . The recipient of the award was Ambassador Plenipotentiary Kajetan Mérey von Kapos-Mére on the occasion of the peace negotiations in Brest-Litovsk .
See also
literature
- Johann Stolzer, Christian Steeb: Austria's order from the Middle Ages to the present. Academic Printing and Publishing House Graz, ISBN 3-201-01649-7 .
- Václav Měřička : Orders and decorations of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Verlag Anton Schroll & Co., Vienna and Munich.
- Heinrich Michetschläger: The order book of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Vienna 1918.
