1939 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross in silver


1939 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross in silver 1939 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross in silver
Added by Ungurean Alexandru , with updated images by Alain Martineau
General Description : The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Stern zum Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire. It was considered a senior decoration to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to the most outstanding of generals who performed feats of leadership to the extreme benefit of the German state. It was awarded only twice, over a century apart, to Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher in 1813 and to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918. Von Blücher's award was referred to as the Blücherstern while Hindenburg's was known as the Hindenburgstern.
During the reign of Nazi Germany, it was intended to present the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross as an award to the most successful German General of the Second World War, once Germany had achieved victory. As Germany was defeated in 1945, the decoration was never bestowed under Nazi authority and has not been awarded since.
At least one medal was manufactured, but it was never presented. The only known example was found discovered in Austria by U.S. intelligence officers at the end of WWII, and was eventually added to the West Point military collection.
Front Description : The award consists of a large silver metal breast star with with an Iron Cross affixed to the center
Material Silver
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