JR63 Awards Philosophy

The wearing of awards and decorations by reenactors is a touchy subject, and is a source of some controversy amongst many of the conscientious living history groups. There are two opposing schools of thought on this topic: one which states that decorations were common enough to become an inseparable part of an accurate German impression, and the second which is best summed up by the statement of a military veteran who confronted a heavily decorated reenactor at a local event - "Do you have any idea at all what a man had to do to earn those medals? I earned mine; what right do you have to wear them?"

Our unit's policies on this subject try to reflect our sensitivity to both of these viewpoints and attempt to find a compromise. Although we agree that decorations should be an element of a total unit impression, we don't think that the bulk of our members should look like a Mexican Fieldmarshal. Keeping our standards very high in the presentation of awards, not only keeps the number of decorations to a reasonable number, but also instills a small measure of pride in the unit as a whole and also in the member in his achievement of the award.

It is our opinion that awards and decorations are a necessary part of an accurate German impression. The Iron Cross is THE embodiment of the German Military. Originally instituted in 1813, the Iron Cross has existed in some form in every war Germany has been involved in since. If Germany became involved in a war tomorrow, the Iron Cross WOULD be reinstituted, no matter what the current German government says!

Since in most cases, German soldiers wore their decorations on their combat uniform, we will also continue this practice (with certain guidelines).

Our awards policy has three basic tenants:

1. Keep the total numbers of awards in the unit to historical proportion. Too many decorations would not be authentic and detracts from the value of the award. On the other hand, a 1917/18-vintage German military unit would have looked strange if it did not have a reasonable proportion of the more common awards being worn by its members.
2. The requirements for the award should match the original requirements as much as possible. Since we cannot endure the same things as the original recipients (nor would we want to), we should at least make our requirements match the original spirit of the award, i.e. combat awards for mock combat, qualification awards for demonstrated abilities, etc.. If a person in our unit is wearing a decoration, he must have done something to earn it; there are no freebies in JR63.
3. The recipient will be thoroughly familiar with the original requirement for the award.

The award will be confirmed by the Kompanieführer, and then will be presented during a suitable ceremony. This ceremony will take place at the unit meeting during the next GWA combat event following the Kompanieführer's decision. A unit-owned award will be presented to the recipient, who may wear it for the remainder of that event, after which he must return the award and purchase a copy for himself.

Members should realize that if it is discovered that it would have been impossible for members of the original IR63 to receive a certain award, then we will no longer allow its wear. Conversely, if we find a decoration that was definitely awarded to JR63, then it will be added to this list. Although the German Army had many decorations, those described in this Handbook are the only ones IR63 recognizes at this time. Exceptions might be made on a case-by-case basis. Original awards and decorations other than those actually authorized by JR63 are portrayed in this section for recognition purposes only.

Although a brand-new member will not have to worry about decorations at first, we are including them in this Handbook because they are an important part of our unit impression and the Rekrut should know the importance of what he is looking at.

The detailed requirements set down in the following sections of this part of the manual will follow these basic guidelines.

Awards and decorations other than those described here may be bestowed as more information on the original items become available, and the unit votes to authorize additional awards in JR63.

Guidelines for Combat Awards:

• The actions cannot have pre-planned conclusions - they must be "tactical" assaults.
• Participation in the assaults must not be accompanied by inappropriate behavior such as failure to take hits, or suicidal actions. Such acts will negate the candidate's eligibility for the award.
• Participation in an assault will not be negated if the reenactor becomes a casualty; in WWI, "Everybody Dies!"

1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse, (EKI)
[Iron Cross, First Class]

Instituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II, on 5 August 1914, the EKI was much like the EKII in that it was awarded for exceptional bravery. The difference was that to win the EKI, the Soldat had to perform an additional 3-5 acts of bravery, which means it was - and is - hard to get.

The EKI is a breast badge, meaning that it is pinned to the uniform. The EKI is worn centered on the left breast, and takes precedence over all other awards.

In JR63 this means the Soldat has to make some kind of long standing contribution to the unit and/or WWI reenacting. The EKI will not be given out for simple participation in action.

Original Requirements:

• To perform some act of military prowess in combat, which is deserving of the corresponding level of recognition, and to have previously won the EKII.

Our Corresponding Requirements:

• This decoration is reserved only for members who have received an award or special recognition of an act of bravery in actual combat while serving in the military, as previously stated distinguished themselves within IR63, and has also received an EKII within JR63.

Special Regulations:

• In the reenacted JR63, seeing a member wearing an EKI shows that he has actually seen real combat and was recognized for bravery. So, although other WWI reenacting units may award the EKI frequently, in the 63rd the awarding of the EKI is a distinguished honor and deserves the respect!
• The EKI will be presented during a suitable ceremony and will be worn according to the original German regulations for that award.

1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse, (EKII)
[Iron Cross, Second Class]

Instituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II, on 5 August 1914, the EKII was authorized to be awarded to Soldaten who had performed a single act of bravery in combat, beyond the normal fulfillment of duty.

On the day of issue only, the EKII medal is worn, but for normal dress, only the ribbon of the EKII is worn. It is worn either through the second buttonhole of the tunic or on a ribbon bar. It takes precedence over all other ribbons.

In JR63 this means the Soldat has to do something
himself, not just show up and participate (i.e. has
to lead a successful assault or destroy an enemy fighting
position by himself). The EKII will not be given out
for simple participation in action.

Original Requirements:

• To perform some act of military prowess in combat, which is deserving of the corresponding level of recognition.

Our Corresponding Requirements:

• To perform some act of military prowess in mock combat which is similar in nature to historical incidents, which earned the same award.

Special Regulations:

• In JR63 and to our members, the awarding of the EKII is a serious matter. This award is not given out lightly and if one of our members is wearing an EKII, then he has done something worthwhile to earn it.
• Although anyone can recommend a member for the EKII, the member must be nominated for the EKII by at least two (2) unit members who must submit a written statement to the Kompanieführer attesting that the individual has done something worthy of this award. The Kompanieführer will then decide if the action described merits this decoration.
• The EKII will be presented during a suitable ceremony and will be worn according to the original German regulations for that award.

Verwundetenabzeichen [Wound Badge]

Instituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II, on 3 March 1918 in three (3) grades:

• Schwarz (Black) - 1-2 injuries
• Silber (Silver) - 3-4 injuries
• Gold (Gold) - 5 or more injuries or death or dismemberment.

The Verwundetenabzeichen was considered an award, not a decoration and it's one we really do not want to have to issue.

Please don't try to be a recipient of this award!

Original Requirements:

• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Schwarz: To be wounded at least once and not more than twice in combat. This did not include friendly fire or self-mutilation.
• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Silber: To be wounded at least three times and not more than four times in combat.
• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Gold: To be wounded more than four times in combat.

Our Corresponding Requirements:

• Wounds or injuries at events, i.e. the member must actually be injured at a combat event in such a manner that requires medical attention from a physician or EMT.
• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Schwarz: The member must be injured at a WWI event and to require professional medical attention.
• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Silber: 3-4 times.
• For the Verwundetenabzeichen im Gold: More than 4 times.
• As Verwundetenabzeichen was only issued after March of 1918, it may only be worn at late-war events.
• The Kompanieführer may request suitable documentation of there is some question of candidacy. We say, "requires medical attention" because of the surprisingly large number of masochists who will obviously require medical attention (large gashes, enormous swelling, etc.) but who will not get this help. In these cases, candidacy is left up to the Kompanieführer.

Das Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe
[Merit Cross for War Aid]

War metal cross with on the obverse medallion, the intertwined letters WR (Wilhelm Rex; Wilhelm King of Prussia). The reverse medallion bears the text:

FÜR / KRIEGS- / HILFSDIENST
    (For Wartime Assistance)

The corresponding ribbon was a black and white striped ribbon with red edging, the award would have been worn on the left side.

Original requirements:

• The cross was awarded to men and women, irrespective of rank or status, for special merit connected with patriotic war aid. It was instituted by King Wilhelm II of Prussia on 15 December 1916. The first recipient (after the King himself) was Field Marshall von Hindenburg.

Our corresponding requirements:

• The VfK is awarded for exceptional work to better the unit and/or WWI reenacting above and beyond normal efforts. Examples would be:
• Putting forth extra effort in doing some kind of service to our organization, such as: providing essential aid to new members over a long period of time, major contributions in recruitment, major efforts in construction work on the trenches and/or bunker, etc.
• Providing long standing service to the unit in regular tasks, such as: making ammo or grenades, doing administrative work, etc. for many years.

Special regulations:

The VfK will be awarded by unit consensus. For unit consensus, the member must be recommended for this decoration by two (2) unit members, in writing, to the Kompagnieführer (the Kompagnieführer may be one of these) who shall then decide whether to put it up for a vote amongst the membership. The VfK will be presented during a suitable ceremony and will be worn according to the original German regulations for that award.

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