Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/361

158 founder, and on the reverse the number of years of service. For sergeants and under, the decoration has four classes: a cross of silver with a gold middle for the first class: a cross of silver for the second class: a cross of copper with a silver middle for the third class: a cross of copper without middle for the fourth class.

The front shows the initial of the founder, and the reverse, the years of service.

The Military Cross of Service is worn on the left breast suspended by a crimson ribbon with blue and yellow borders.

Officers and officials of a similar grade receive, after twenty-five years' service, the gold cross, while the number on the reverse is altered for every five years' additional active service.

Military sergeants and those of inferior rank, receive, after ten years' active service, the fourth class cross; after fifteen years, the third class cross; after twenty years, the second class; and after twenty-five years the first class cross; also the number of the years on the reverse is altered after every five years' additional service.

4. The War Medal was founded on the 30th April, 1841, by the Grand Duke, after the form of the medal of the other German States, for the war of 1814. It is cast from heavy (gun) metal. The obverse shows the initial of the founder, and the year '1841,' and the reverse, the inscription: 'Für treuen Dienst im Kriege' (For faithful service in war). The name of the recipient is engraved on the edge; it was distributed amongst the veterans who had served in the Rhinebund from 1808 to 1812, or made the campaigns of from 1812 to 1815.

5. The Military Cross of Merit, was founded on the 5th of August, 1848. It is also cast of heavy gun metal, and