National Defense Cross
The defense cross ( hu. Polgári Honvédelmi Érdemkereszt ) was on March 1, 1944, the regent and head of state Miklos Horthy donated in three classes and was only for Hungarian provided civilians by its use in the interest of national defense by their zeal and sacrifice especially deserved.
Classes
- 1st class: Golden Cross,
- 2nd class: Silver Cross,
- 3rd class: bronze cross,
Award definition
According to the foundation's decree, the National Defense Cross could naturally only be awarded to those civilians who had special merits in war production, i.e. not just factory managers, but rather the workers and employees employed in the war companies.
Appearance
Due to the fact that in the spring of 1944 the war situation had already turned to the disadvantage of Hungary (and Germany), the National Defense Cross could not match the high standards of its quality and merit of the previous orders and decorations in Hungary. It was of a rather plain and mostly poor quality in terms of its texture, as it was mainly made of war metal.
The cross itself has the shape of a paw cross with the cross ends tapering towards the center. The cross arms themselves are kept plain and smooth. A round message has been stamped in the center as well as on the front and back. The front shows the small national coat of arms of Hungary in front of a shining sun, the rays of which can be seen as raised lines. The middle part is framed by a laurel wreath. The back of the medallion is also unadorned and has only a small medal border and the inscription around it: A HONVÉD ELE MÉRT 1944 (FOR DEFENSE)
Wearing style
The cross was carried on a 40 mm wide triangular ribbon on the left breast pocket, which was in the national colors of Hungary, red, white and green. The green central stripe was approx. 5 mm wide, the subsequent white stripes approx. 3 mm.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Brief description of the National Defense Cross from the magazine Uniform-Markt, year 1944, issue 4, page 2