The military order of Max Joseph was established on January 1, 1806 by King Max I Joseph. The date was dated to the founding date of the Kingdom of Bavaria. The Churfalcian-Bavarian badge of honor that existed since 1794 was transformed into an order, and still living carriers were included in the order. These were 5 cavaliers as large crosses, 6 as commanders, 50 as knights, as well as 13 inactive cavaliers as honorary knights. The order consisted of classes: Grand Cross, Commander and Knight. The motto "VIRTUTI PRO PATRIA" was valor for the Fatherland. Officers were awarded for valiant acts from which he could refrain without any responsibility or which, thanks to extraordinary ingenuity or courage and determination, brought special honor and benefit to the army. A boarding house and personal nobility of the knightly estate were associated with admission to the order. If the grandfather and father were also knights of the order, the noble title became hereditary. The order was to be claimed. The head of the order voted for inclusion and after that the proposal was presented to the king as a grand master for approval. The Grand Cross was intended for generals. Foreign, non-Bavarian officers could also be awarded, but did not receive pensions and certificates of valor. All signs of the order are numbered and thus assigned to the wearer. Until 1935, there was a strict duty of return in the event of the death of the carrier. Several times awarded crosses. The knighthood has been awarded 766 times. 323 awards fell on foreigners. Knight's crosses were made mainly of gold. However, there are also 27 silver-gilt specimens and 29 copper-gilt specimens. Knight's crosses are numbered from 1 to 451, gold - up to 424. Since 1914, the order could be awarded posthumously. The order had a high reputation, and, among other things, support points for the children of the cavaliers were created or the funerals of members were held with the celebrations of the following highest ranks. Lists of awardees today can provide information about the name, rank and statute of courage. The last knight of the order died in 1985, and the order finally died out. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.
An eight-pointed cross made of gold with small balls at the ends of the cross. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled white. Round, gold and enameled medallions. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder is a wide ear, to which the golden crown is movably connected. A small ring passes through the imperial apple. A twisted elongated tape ring passes through it, in which the carrier number is located.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
35 mm wide, white edges 1 mm, side stripes of light blue/white color 4 mm each, central stripes black 16 mm.
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Obverse: Military Order of Max Joseph Knight's Cross
Reverse: Military Order of Max Joseph Knight's Cross
Awards of World War II