Awards of
World War IIIn February 1943, Admiral Dönitz instituted a naval version of the Roll of Honor, and on May 13, 1944, the Kriegsmarine Honor Clasp was approved.
According to regulations, it was awarded to officers and sailors of the German Navy for heroic actions and brave conduct in combat. Recipients of the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class were automatically eligible for the clasp.
The first recipient was Herbert Grone on March 27, 1945. Due to the confusion that arose towards the end of the war, it is now difficult to establish the exact number of people awarded this badge. However, the reliably known number today is 60 people. As a result, the Kriegsmarine Honor Clasp is one of the rarest awards of the Third Reich.
The award was made by stamping a sheet of tombac and then applying gold plating. The Kriegsmarine Honor Clasp had the shape of a wreath of fifteen oak leaves 3.5 mm wide, in the center of which was a naval anchor crossed by a swastika. On the reverse side there are four brackets for fastening. Clasp dimensions: diameter - 25.7 mm; anchor - 20.0 mm; swastika - 12.8 x 12.8 mm; Weight: 2.92 g.
The award's backing was a red, white, and black ribbon, matching the colors of the Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon. The ribbon was 24 mm wide. The award was presented in a black box lined with white silk.
The award is worn on a ribbon threaded through the second button of the uniform. If the recipient previously wore the clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class of 1939, they could wear the Kriegsmarine Honor Clasp instead.