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Parachutist Badge (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge ( or ) is the badge awarded to and worn by qualified parachutists of the Armed Forces (Bundeswehr
) of the Federal Republic of Germany
. The badge may also be awarded to military service members from allied nations but its authorization and wear is subject to the recipient's national uniform regulations.
In the National Socialist Wehrmacht
, the Parachutist Badge was first established by order of Hermann Göring
on November 5, 1936. It was originally awarded to soldiers of the Luftwaffe
after completion of parachute training and the required number of jumps. The badge depicted a diving eagle with a swastika
in its claws surrounded by a silver wreath. It was worn over the left breast pocket.
An army version was later introduced, with the swastika relocated to the top of the wreath and surmounted by a smaller upright eagle.
, the symbols of National Socialism were outlawed in Germany. After the creation of the Bundeswehr, wearing of decorations and badges earned during war-time was permitted, but only after proper "de-Nazification". The German Parachutist Badge was eventually changed to its current design in 1956, depicting a parachute falling in the sky surrounded by a ring of oak leaves on wings. This badge is worn over the right breast pocket.
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
) of the Federal Republic of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The badge may also be awarded to military service members from allied nations but its authorization and wear is subject to the recipient's national uniform regulations.
Nazi Germany
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
, the Parachutist Badge was first established by order of Hermann Göring
Hermann Göring
Hermann Wilhelm Göring, was a German politician, military leader, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. He was a veteran of World War I as an ace fighter pilot, and a recipient of the coveted Pour le Mérite, also known as "The Blue Max"...
on November 5, 1936. It was originally awarded to soldiers of the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
after completion of parachute training and the required number of jumps. The badge depicted a diving eagle with a swastika
Swastika
The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form in counter clock motion or its mirrored left-facing form in clock motion. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient...
in its claws surrounded by a silver wreath. It was worn over the left breast pocket.
An army version was later introduced, with the swastika relocated to the top of the wreath and surmounted by a smaller upright eagle.
Federal Republic of Germany
Following the defeat of the Nazis in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the symbols of National Socialism were outlawed in Germany. After the creation of the Bundeswehr, wearing of decorations and badges earned during war-time was permitted, but only after proper "de-Nazification". The German Parachutist Badge was eventually changed to its current design in 1956, depicting a parachute falling in the sky surrounded by a ring of oak leaves on wings. This badge is worn over the right breast pocket.
Bundeswehr
In the German Bundeswehr the badge has three levels:- Bronze: 5 Jumps, step I
- Silver: 20 Jumps, step II
- Gold: 50 Jumps, step III
See also
- Order of Merit Cross of the German Federal RepublicBundesverdienstkreuzThe Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
- Bundeswehr Crosses & Medal of HonorBadge of Honour of the BundeswehrThe Badge of Honour of the German Armed Forces is a series of military decorations of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany...
- German Armed Forces Service MedalGerman Armed Forces Service MedalThe German Armed Forces Service Medal is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
- German Armed Forces Flood Service MedalGerman Armed Forces Flood Service MedalThe German Flood Service Medal 2002 is a decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany.The decoration was awarded to all German military members, foreign armed service members, civilian rescue forces and civilians, who had collaborated with the flood disaster relief efforts in Germany in the...
- German Armed Forces Badge for Military ProficiencyGerman Armed Forces Badge for Military ProficiencyThe German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
- German Armed Forces Badge of MarksmanshipGerman Armed Forces Badge of MarksmanshipThe German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
- German Sports BadgeGerman Sports BadgeThe German Sports Badge is a decoration of the German Olympic Sports Federation DOSB, of the Federal Republic of Germany...
- Awards and decorations of the German Armed ForcesAwards and decorations of the German Armed ForcesThe 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...