Medals of Nazi Germany
Medals of Nazi Germany were decorations bestowed by the nation state of Nazi Germany on Earth both before and during the Second World War. The most widely-known Prussian decoration used by Nazi Germany was the Iron Cross.

Manner of wear 
Standard German form was to display decorations on the front left pocket of a uniform. Both military and paramilitary forces were awarded the same decorations, with such Nazi organizations as the SS eligible for the same awards as the regular military.

Medals and large badges were worn on the lower pocket while smaller ribbons were worn above the pocket flap. This manner of ribbon wear was similar to awards of the United States military. Extremely high ranking decorations, such as the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, were worn as "neck orders" suspended from the uniform collar. (; ) 

In 2374, the Hirogen created an elaborate holodeck scenario set in World War II France in an effort to hunt and kill the crew of . The Hirogen were outfitted in SS uniforms of the period, which displayed various period specific Nazi medals. Among these were both grades of the Iron Cross, as well as several lesser decorations. ()

Medals and badges

Ribbons 

 Iron Cross Second Class: Ribbon could either be worn on the primary ribbon bar or suspended from the second button of a wearer's uniform. 
 War Merit Cross Second Class: Ribbon version for the larger War Merit Cross.
 Eastern Front Ribbon: Awarded for service in Russia in 1941.
 SS Service Ribbon: Awarded for various years of service in the SS.
 Wehrmacht Service Ribbon: Awarded for various years of service in the German military.
 Czech Occupation Ribbon (with Prague Castle Bar): Awarded for participation in the occupation of Czechoslovakia with an attachment awarded for those who participated in the occupation of Prague.
 Iron Cross (World War I): Ribbon for the Iron Cross of World War I with an attachment for those awarded the same degree in World War II.
 Honor Cross of the Great War: A commemorative ribbon of the First World War.
 Anschluss Ribbon: Awarded to those who participated in the German occupation of Austria.
 Red Cross Ribbon: Awarded for various services with the German Red Cross.
 Fire Brigade Ribbon: Awarded for service on a fire brigade in response to bombing raids.
 The Return of Memel Commemorative Ribbon: A decoration of Nazi Germany awarded in the interwar period, and the last of the series of Occupation Medals.

Ekosian resurgance 

Apart from their usage on Earth in the 20th century, Nazi awards saw a resurgence three hundred years later on the planet Ekos. Historian John Gill, in a bizarre social experiment, succeeded in recreating a government based on Nazi Germany including the uniforms, symbols, and awards of the era. 

One of the more important decorations in Gill's neo-Nazi government was the Iron Cross which, even at the level of an Iron Cross Second Class, was awarded with grand ceremony and prestige. Gill himself wore an Iron Cross, along with a Wound Badge and Nazi Party Pin, as decorations bestowed upon himself as the Führer of Ekos. ()

Appendices

Background information 

The highest German decoration of the Second World War was the , awarded solely to Hermann Göring (a "" was also produced but never actually awarded). Göring makes a brief appearance in , but the Grand Cross is not visible. 

The German general in  wears the  with Oak Leaves and Swords, which is the highest Nazi decoration seen in any Star Trek production to date. Higher grades included the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords with Diamonds (in silver or gold).

The holodeck SS officer in  wears a  First Class with Swords which was awarded for service of a non-combat nature in a combat or battlefield environment. The War Merit Cross was also issued without swords, and in addition had a second class level as well as a basic service medal version. The highest version of the War Merit Cross was a neck order known as the "Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross".

At least two of the badges seen in  have higher degrees which do not appear on camera. These include the  and  in Gold, as well as a special grade of the Wound Badge known as the "Wound Badge of 20 July 1944".

The nations of Austria and Czechoslovakia are both indirectly referenced based on the appearance of the Austrian Annexation Medal and the Czech Occupation Medal. Czechoslovakia has never been directly referenced in canon, unlike one of its successor states, the Czech Republic.

No German Navy (Kriegsmarine) or Air Force (Luftwaffe) decorations have ever appeared in a Star Trek production. With the exception of the Nazi Party Pin and SS Service Ribbon, no Nazi political decorations have been shown either.

External link

Awards