Destroyer War Badge
Encyclopedia
Destroyer War Badge is a German military decoration instituted on June 4, 1940 by admiral Erich Raeder
and awarded to officers and crew for the service on Kriegsmarine
destroyer
s (worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross
if awarded, or equivalent grade award). Required qualifications prior to October 10, 1940 included participation in the battles of Narvik
, after — wound, participation in three enemy engagements or at least in 12 non-enemy sorties, ship sinking in action, outstanding performance or other heroic deeds. A cloth version of the Badge was issued for wear on the dark blue uniform.
The Badge was also awarded to the crews of Kriegsmarine torpedo boats and fast attack craft until the institution of the Fast Attack Craft War Badge
.
In all, about 6,000 Destroyer War Badges were awarded during the Second World War. A handful of Destroyer War Badges with diamonds were also manufactured but there were no bestowals of the diamond upgrade to any Kriegsmarine member. Records indicate that the Destroyer War Badge with diamonds was to be a highly selective award and presented to only the most successful destroyer captains at the conclusion of World War II.
Erich Raeder
Erich Johann Albert Raeder was a naval leader in Germany before and during World War II. Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of Großadmiral — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz...
and awarded to officers and crew for the service on Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s (worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
if awarded, or equivalent grade award). Required qualifications prior to October 10, 1940 included participation in the battles of Narvik
Battles of Narvik
The Battles of Narvik were fought from 9 April-8 June 1940 as a naval battle in the Ofotfjord and as a land battle in the mountains surrounding the north Norwegian city of Narvik as part of the Norwegian Campaign of the Second World War....
, after — wound, participation in three enemy engagements or at least in 12 non-enemy sorties, ship sinking in action, outstanding performance or other heroic deeds. A cloth version of the Badge was issued for wear on the dark blue uniform.
The Badge was also awarded to the crews of Kriegsmarine torpedo boats and fast attack craft until the institution of the Fast Attack Craft War Badge
Fast Attack Craft War Badge
The E-Boat War Badge is a German military decoration awarded to Kriegsmarine members for service on fast attack craft or torpedo boats worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded, or equivalent grade award...
.
In all, about 6,000 Destroyer War Badges were awarded during the Second World War. A handful of Destroyer War Badges with diamonds were also manufactured but there were no bestowals of the diamond upgrade to any Kriegsmarine member. Records indicate that the Destroyer War Badge with diamonds was to be a highly selective award and presented to only the most successful destroyer captains at the conclusion of World War II.