War Cross for Civil Merits

Recorded constituent parts are War Cross for Civil Merits, first class, War Cross for Civil Merits, second class, War Cross for Civil Merits, third class and War Cross for Civil Merits, fourth class. It is associated with Austria–Hungary. The record gives 1915 as its date of establishment or first appearance. Activity is recorded as ending in 1918.

• Name — War Cross for Civil Merits Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste • Presenter — Austria-Hungary • Type — Four class, Civil decoration • Awarded For — Distinguished service through outstanding zeal and sacrifice to the war effort • Status — No longer awarded after the fall of the Austrian Empire • Established — 16 August 1915 • Lastawarded — 1918 • Higher — Military Merit Cross • Lower — Military Merit Medal

The War Cross for Civil Merits is in the shape of a Cross pattée, The decoration measures 55 mm in height and 55 mm in width.A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, passing beneath the horizontal arms of the cross and in front of the vertical arms. The first- and second-class crosses are gilded, the third class is silver, and the fourth class is bronze. The arms of the cross in the first through third classes are finished with white enamel. The central medallion, also enameled in white, displays the Emperor’s monogram “FJI” (Franz Joseph Imperator), encircled by the inscription “Merito Civili tempore belli MCMXV” (“Civil merit in time of war 1915”). The decoration was worn as a breast cross, attached directly to the coat or uniform.

War Cross for Civil Merits is associated with Austria–Hungary. Recorded from 1915.