Service awards in Mecklenburg-Strelitz were first established on July 01, 1846 by the Grand Duke George. They consisted of a military service cross for officers after 25 years and for soldiers from sergeant major below there were 3 classes of military service cross. 1st grade, silver cross, after 25 years, 2nd, bronze with a silver middle shield, after 18 years and 3rd grade, bronze cross, after 12 years of honorary service. In 1869, Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm issued new directives. Military service crosses were to be brought into line with the royal awards of Prussia. The terms of service of non-commissioned officers and soldiers have been changed. 1st grade has now become 2nd and 3rd after 21 years of service. The class is assigned after 15 and 9 years of service, respectively. The war years were doubly counted. The service life in other armies of the North German Union was also counted. The last change of years of service was made in 1913. Now classes were subject to service after 15, 12 and 9 years. Источник: Peter Ohm-Hieronymussen, Die Mecklenburg-Strelitzer Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 2000.
Silver cross. The wishbones are smooth with an increased triple grip on the line. Front and back panels with raised round central screen (16 mm). On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
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Obverse: Army Army NCO Cross 1. Class for 21 years
Reverse: Army NCO Cross 1. Class for 21 years
Awards of World War II