The Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp
The Honor Roll Clasp was a German war decoration of the Kriegsmarine during World War II. As early as February 23, 1943, deserving sailors of the Kriegsmarine were listed as a special honor in the Kriegsmarine's Honor Roll. To make this special honor outwardly recognizable, the Honor Roll Clasp of the Kriegsmarine was instituted on May 13, 1944, by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine. The Honor Roll Clasp of the Kriegsmarine is often also referred to as the "Honor Roll Clasp of the Kriegsmarine," which is incorrect. Analogous awards, the Honor Roll Clasp of the Army and the Honor Roll Clasp of the Air Force, were also instituted by their respective commanders-in-chief.
Design of the Navy's honorary plaque clasp
The award, made of gold-plated non-ferrous metal, features an anchor in the center, symbolizing the Navy. On the anchor is a swastika standing on its tip. The swastika is surrounded by a delicate wreath of oak leaves. The badge is hollow-stamped. On the reverse are four round wire pins for attaching it to the lanyard. The area between the anchor and the wreath is not punched out below the anchor arms. The dimensions are approximately 24 x 24 mm. The weight is approximately 2,5 g. The clasp was manufactured by the Otto Klein company in Hanau.
Requirements for the award of the Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp
The Honor Roll Clasp could be awarded to all soldiers of the Navy who were named in the Honor Roll of the Navy and who were not holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross or German Cross were in gold.
To be included on the Navy's Roll of Honor, an act of valor was required that stood out above any average performance. The elimination of a serious disruption in the ship's operations, if it affected the ship's combat readiness, could also be grounds for inclusion on the Roll of Honor. Members of the Navy who had fallen in the act of valor were also eligible for inclusion.
Number of awards of the Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp
Unfortunately, no reliable figures are available regarding the awarding of the Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp. 29 awards can be reliably documented, but it can be assumed that significantly more were awarded. Furthermore, several hundred clasps were certainly produced. However, the Honor Roll Clasp is certainly the rarest of the three "Ehrenblattspange" (honor leaf clasps).
How to wear the Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp
The Honor Roll Clasp was clipped onto the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 and worn in the buttonhole of a blouse or skirt, just like the ribbon of the Iron Cross itself; however, it was not worn on the ribbon bar or ribbon bar. Wearing the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 with the 1939 Honor Roll Clasp simultaneously was not permitted. In its form according to the 1957 Orders Act, featuring an anchor without a swastika, the Honor Roll Clasp can still be worn in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The certificate for the Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp
The recipient received a certificate of award. His name, rank, and unit were published in the German Navy's Roll of Honor. The award was recorded in his pay book and military service record.
Value and purchase
A single clasp is worth around €1.800, depending on its condition. For collectors, and therefore for us as well, large, complete estates with medals, certificates, photos, etc., are of particular value and interest.
