Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr
Encyclopedia
The Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr (Einsatzmedaille Gefecht) is a military decoration
awarded by the German Bundeswehr
. The medal is awarded for active participation in combat actions or for the suffering from terrorist attacks. It is awarded only once and, if the recipient was killed in action, posthumously.
and introduced by the President of Germany
, Christian Wulff
in 2010. The initiation of the medal took place against the backdrop of more and more german soldiers being involved in combat situations while participating in missions abroad, especially in Afghanistan
. Within the German Armed Forces it was often criticized, that achievements and services rendered in combat were only appreciated by awaring the German Armed Forces Service Medal
. However, the criteria for this award is primarily time spent in the theatre, so there is no distinction whether a soldier was deployed as a staff member doing paperwork in the camp or if he was deployed as part of combat troops, actively participating in battles.
Political leaders opposed the introduction of an award solely for those who were wounded or killed in action, but instead introduced the Combat Action Medal as an appreciation for the extreme risks involved in the active participation in combat action and the suffering from terrorist attacks.
. It features a golden square with the inscription Gefecht (Combat/ Battle).
Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces
The Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces are decorations awarded by the German Bundeswehr, the German government, and other organizations to the German military and allied forces...
awarded by the German Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
. The medal is awarded for active participation in combat actions or for the suffering from terrorist attacks. It is awarded only once and, if the recipient was killed in action, posthumously.
History
The medal was initiated by then minister of defense Karl-Theodor zu GuttenbergKarl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg is a German politician of the Christian Social Union ....
and introduced by the President of Germany
President of Germany
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany is the country's head of state. His official title in German is Bundespräsident . Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial...
, Christian Wulff
Christian Wulff
Christian Wilhelm Walter Wulff is the President of Germany and a politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was elected President on 2010 and publicly swore the oath of office on . A lawyer by profession, he served as Premier of the state of Lower Saxony from 2003 to 2010.-Early life and...
in 2010. The initiation of the medal took place against the backdrop of more and more german soldiers being involved in combat situations while participating in missions abroad, especially in Afghanistan
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
. Within the German Armed Forces it was often criticized, that achievements and services rendered in combat were only appreciated by awaring the German Armed Forces Service Medal
German Armed Forces Service Medal
The German Armed Forces Service Medal is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
. However, the criteria for this award is primarily time spent in the theatre, so there is no distinction whether a soldier was deployed as a staff member doing paperwork in the camp or if he was deployed as part of combat troops, actively participating in battles.
Political leaders opposed the introduction of an award solely for those who were wounded or killed in action, but instead introduced the Combat Action Medal as an appreciation for the extreme risks involved in the active participation in combat action and the suffering from terrorist attacks.
The award
The Combat Action Medal is a special class of the German Armed Forces Service MedalGerman Armed Forces Service Medal
The German Armed Forces Service Medal is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
. It features a golden square with the inscription Gefecht (Combat/ Battle).