fred511 is correct. The 2nd class Iron Cross IS a decoration awarded by placing it around the neck. The field dress display is of the ribbon only, placed in the button hole as described. The ribbon here is actually being straightened to wear UNDER the collar, so it IS a neck award. A closer look at the photo shows that the ribbon resembles the 2nd class Iron Cross, which is bright red in the center with black and silver outline on BOTH outer edges. You can just see the outline on the actual size photo. The black is washed out a bit, so is not seen as well. The width of the ribbon is too narrow to be that of the Knight's Cross, which is identical in color and, aside from size, configuration. It could be one of several other medals (War Merit badge 2nd class with swords, for example) worn in the same fashion, but is probably the Second Class Iron Cross because this medal is important enough in it's award ceremony to rate a photo. Contrary to the statement of the caption, there were other awards handed out far more frequently than the 2nd Class Iron Cross, as Germany was mindful of the reputation of the award, more or less the equivalent of a Bronze Star in the USA. I believe the recipient is a Feldwebel, due to the size of the piping on his shoulder boards. I can see no pips, however, so he is probably the lowest grade of Feldwebel. Note the cloth band wrapped around the shoulderboard at the shoulder seam - this shows the unit number upon it. The piping of his collar suggests infantry, as Artillery or Engineer (Pioneer) would be either the darker red or black. There are several different light colors of piping for different types of troop but this seems to be white, which is the color of Infantry. The fellow giving the award seems to be a Captain (Hauptmann), based on the spacing of the one pip that I can see on his straight-line shoulder boards - a higher rank than Hauptmann would have interwoven shoulder boards of more intricate design, a lower rank would have a pip closer to center or no pip.

said EStrongblade 4 days ago

mnpd007, this simply isn't correct. The 2nd class Iron Cross was worn in the second button hole. On the first day the cross itself hang on its ribbon then it was taken off and only the ribbon was left in the button hole. The 1st class Iron Cross was worn on the left breast pocket and the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross was worn around the neck. So it seems to me as if this soldier (a Unteroffizier imo) gets a 2nd class Iron Cross.

said fred511 4 months 23 days ago

Iron Crosses 2nd Class were pinned and worn on the left breast pocket. The 1st Class was worn around the neck. However, in the field uniform, the 2nd Class wasn't worn... only a ribbon worn in the 2nd buttonhole of the tunic designated the award. The officer giving the award isn't near the neck or the left breast pocket... he seems to be pinning a ribbon on.

said mnpd007 7 months 27 days ago

This Photo is the best photo i have evea seen in my hole life!!!!!...

said roxy9950 10 months 26 days ago

This Photo is the best photo i have evea seen in my hole life!!!!!...

said roxy9950 10 months 26 days ago

Premotion from german commander

said Sasquatch10192 2007.10.05 at 14:10:36 PDT

Premotion from german commander

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