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The Social Welfare Decoration (Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege) was founded on 1 May 1939 by Adolf Hitler to recognize exceptional service in public welfare, the Winter Relief program, medical care of the sick and wounded in peace or war, rescue operations, the preservation of German culture, and support for ethnic Germans abroad. It replaced the German Red Cross Decoration and could be awarded to both Germans and foreigners.
The order consisted of four main classes plus a medal, with a special star grade as the highest distinction:
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Special Class: a four-rayed breast star worn on a sash over the right shoulder
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1st Class: a 52 mm white-enamelled cross worn around the neck
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2nd Class: a 52 mm pin cross (Steckkreuz), worn on the left breast
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3rd Class: a 40 mm cross on a red ribbon with white edges, worn on the chest
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Medal for Social Welfare: a 38 mm round silvered medal in bronze or zinc, showing the cross on the obverse and the inscription Medaille für deutsche Volkspflege on the reverse
From 30 January 1942, the 3rd Class and Medal could be awarded with crossed swords for merit during wartime.
The design by Professor Richard Klein featured a white enamelled Balkenkreuz edged in gold, with the black Reich eagle holding an inverted swastika surrounded by a golden oak wreath at the center. Higher classes had enamelled backs, while the 3rd class and medal were plain metal.
Recipients were required to return lower grades upon receiving a higher one, while after death the decoration remained with the family as a keepsake.
