The military cross for non-commissioned officers in Mecklenburg-Strelitz was first established on July 01, 1846 by the Grand Duke George, along with the Military Cross for Officers. Service crosses were supposed to be recognition and an external sign of many years of service in the army. The award was held only once a year on May 1. For military personnel 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. Previous years of service in other contingents of the North German Union were taken into account. The war years were doubly counted. Old service awards could continue to be worn and were only changed to a higher grade when climbing. Military crosses were subject to return after death.
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.
Cross made of bronze. The wishbones are smooth with an increased triple grip on the line. Front and back panels with a round central screen (16 mm) made of silver. 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 2. Class for 15 years
Reverse: Army NCO Cross 2. Class for 15 years
Awards of World War II