COUNTRY: Germany
KINGDOM: Prussia
ESTABLISHED: King Friedrich Wilhelm III originally established The Iron Cross on March 10, 1813. Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia re-established it in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war and again on Augu5, 1914.
CLASSES: Three
The 1914 Iron Cross was awarded without regard for nationality or social class to combatants and non-combatants for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills. Although the medals of each class were identical, the manner in which each was worn differed. Employing a pin or screw posts on the back of the medal, the Iron Cross First Class was worn on the left side of the recipient’s uniform. The Grand Cross-and the Iron Cross Second Class were suspended from different ribbons.
Order of the Iron Crown
COUNTRY: Austro-Hungarian Empire
ESTABLISHED: 1805 by Napoleon I, King of Italy, and the Coronne de Fer (Iron Crown) was awarded in three classes: Grand Dignitary, Dignitary, and Knight. In 1815, Austria adopted the order after regaining control of Northern Italy. Re-established on January 1, 1816 by Emperor Franz I of Austria, it became known as the Order of the Iron Crown (Orden der Eisernen Krone) and was awarded in three grades to noblemen.
During World War I, the Order of the Iron Crown was bestowed upon military officers for acts of bravery. Recipients could receive the order more than once for additional acts of bravery.
Victoria Cross
COUNTRY: Great Britain
ESTABLISHED: February 5, 1856
Great Britain’s highest award, the Victoria Cross (VC), was awarded for most conspicuous bravery, a daring or preeminent act of valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
During WWI, the Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded more to more than 600 recipients; only 19 were airmen of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service.
Croix de Guerre
COUNTRY: France
ESTABLISHED: April 8, 1915
During World War I, the Croix de Guerre (war cross) was awarded for bravery to military personnel mentioned in dispatches. Recipients of the Légion d’Honneur and Médaille Militaire were automatically entitled to the Croix de Guerre.
