Wehrmacht Long Service Award for 18 Years (Heer)

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award for 18 Years (Wehrmachtdienstauszeichnung für 18 Jahre) was a recognition awarded to members of the German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) for loyal and extended service. This particular example is the silver cross denoting 18 years of active duty within the Army (Heer), as indicated by the dark blue ribbon and the small eagle device pinned above the cross.

The cross is made from a silvered metal and exhibits a pebbled background behind a raised Wehrmacht eagle emblem. The reverse features the embossed number “18” to denote the duration of service. It is suspended from its original cornflower-blue ribbon, which was standard for all Wehrmacht long service decorations. This version is enhanced with the metal Wehrmacht eagle, which was affixed to the ribbon on awards for 12 years and above.

These long service decorations were first instituted on 16 March 1936 by Adolf Hitler and were issued in multiple grades (4, 12, 18, 25, and 40 years), reflecting the recipient’s duration of military commitment.

Key Features:

• Grade: 18 years of service
• Branch: Army (Heer)
• Material: Silvered metal
• Ribbon: Cornflower blue with Wehrmacht eagle device
• Reverse marked with “18”<BR><BR>

Excellent example for collectors or historical education