The Army's Honor Bar
The Honor Roll Clasp was a German war decoration during World War II. As early as July 22, 1941, deserving soldiers of the Army and the Waffen-SS were listed as a special honor in the "Honor Roll of the German Army." To make this special honor outwardly recognizable, the Army Honor Roll Clasp was instituted on January 30, 1944, by Adolf Hitler in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Analogous awards, the Luftwaffe Honor Roll Clasp and the Navy Honor Roll Clasp, were also instituted by their respective commanders-in-chief.
Design of the Army's Honor Bar
The award, made of gold-plated non-ferrous metal, features a polished swastika in the center. The swastika is surrounded by a delicate wreath of oak leaves. The wreath is tied at the bottom with a ribbon. The swastika is solid and soldered separately; the wreath is hollow-stamped. On the back are four round wire pins for attaching it to the carrying lanyard. The dimensions are approximately 24,5 x 25,5 mm; the swastika itself measures approximately 11,5 x 11,5 mm. The weight is approximately 3,5 g. The clasp was manufactured by Otto Klein, Hanau.
Requirements for the award of the Army Honor Bar
The Honor Sheet Clasp was awarded to all soldiers of the Army and Waffen-SS named in the Honor Sheet of the German Army. The Honor Sheet of the Army listed the names of soldiers who had distinguished themselves in an exceptional manner in combat. Only deeds that stood out so clearly from the rest that their public recognition before the German people was deemed justified were considered.
The commanding generals were to assess whether the action met these high standards. In times of peace, different standards were to be applied than in times of decisive combat.
The soldiers also had to be in possession of at least the Iron Cross 1st Class or the 1939 Repetition Clasp. When awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, the awarded soldier was simultaneously promoted to the next higher rank.
Often, soldiers who were nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross but whose award was not approved were awarded the Honor Leaf Clasp. However, the Honor Leaf Clasp is not a preliminary or intermediate award to the Knight's Cross, but a completely independent award.
Award numbers of the Army Honor Bar
In total, the Army Honor Bar was awarded 4.272 times. Of these, 4.107 were awarded to members of the Army and 165 to members of the Waffen-SS. The last published award took place on February 15, 1945.
How to wear the Army Honor Bar
The Honor Leaf Clasp was clipped onto the ribbon of the 1939 Iron Cross, Second Class, and, like the ribbon of the Iron Cross, was worn in the buttonhole of a blouse or skirt. However, it was not worn on the medal bar or field clasp. Wearing the ribbon of the 1914 Iron Cross, Second Class, simultaneously with the 1939 Repetition Clasp was not permitted. In its form according to the Order Law of 1957, with two crossed swords instead of the swastika, the Honor Leaf Clasp can also be worn in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The certificate for the Army Honor Bar
The recipient received a certificate of award. His name, rank, and unit were published in the German Army's Roll of Honor. This Roll of Honor is published as an appendix to Part C of the Army Ordinance Gazette. The award was recorded in the recipient's pay book and military service record.
Value and purchase of an Army Honor Bar
A single clasp is worth around €1.500, 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. However, individual clasps, certificates, cases, or photos of the wearer are also sought after, and we are always happy to purchase them.
