Distinguished Service Medal of the National People's Army
March 10, 2023
The Distinguished Service Medal of the National People's Army, or "Medal of Merit of the National People's Army", (German: Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee) was a medal issued in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Established on June 1, 1956 in three levels, Gold, Silver and Bronze. It was awarded for outstanding merit and personal readiness in support of the increase of combat capability and combat readiness of the National People's Army (NPA).
Awarded in the name of the Minister for National Defense it was presented on the "National People's Army Day", 1 March, on the Day of the Republic, 7 October, or immediately after the achievement.
Individuals employed by the National People's Army
Individuals who are not members of the National People's Army
Collectives with membership of any of the previously mentioned groups
By regulation all three levels could be awarded to any rank in the armed forces. But in practice, the gold medal was usually reserved to field grade and general officers, while the silver and bronze grades were more commonly awarded to noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and company grade officers.
An individual of any rank who had earned the Best Soldier badge (German: Bestenabzeichen) for seven consecutive years was eligible for the bronze medal, for nine years the silver medal and twelve years the gold medal.
Medal description
The medal was designed by the Berlin graphic artist Paul Gensch. It is round and either bronze colored (Bronze), silvered (Silver) or gilded (Gold) and has a diameter of 35 mm (1.4 inches). On the front are profiles of the busts of a 1950s era sailor, airman, and soldier representing the nation's Land, Air, and Naval forces, under which is spelled out "DDR". On each side of this are three oakleaves with an acorn. The words FÜR HERVORRAGENDE VERDIENSTE (FOR OUTSTANDING MERIT) form the upper part of the medal, the lower part contain the words NATIONALE VOLKSARMEE (NATIONAL PEOPLE'S ARMY).
On the reverse side are the state coat of arms of East Germany, surrounded with the words FÜR DEN SCHUTZ DER ARBEITER- UND-BAUERN- MACHT (FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WORKERS-AND-FARMERS-POWER) surrounded by two branches of laurel.
The medal is suspended from a five sided cloth ribbon which is 48 mm (1.9 inches) at the widest point. The ribbon is red with black narrow edge stripes and a narrow yellow stripe 1 mm (1/32 inch) from the black edge stripe. The Silver medal is suspended from the same basic ribbon but has the addition of a 3 mm (just over 3/32 inch) wide center stripe of silver/white. On the Gold medal ribbon the center stripe is gold/yellow.
The ribbon bar is 24 mm (just under 1 inch) wide, rectangular and corresponds with the medal ribbon.
The medal was awarded with a certificate and financial allowance and was worn on the left upper chest.
Certificate - Distinguished Service Medal of the National People's Army - Silver, presented to Stasi Captain
Medal variations
Several distinct variations of each grade of this medal exist. According to research by John Standberg the different types are:
Gold
1st Type (1956–57) - 900 Silver, gold plated, content stamp on rim at 6 o'clock, serial numbered at 12 o'clock on reverse. Obverse has dots separating inscriptions
2nd Type (1958–59) Same as Type 1, without dots
3rd Type (1959–60) Same as Type 2, without serial number
4th Type (1960–72) 900 Silver, gold plated, content stamp below the branches on the reverse at 6 o'clock, no serial number Obverse has dots.
5th Type (1973–76) Same as Type 4, bronze, gold plated.
6th Type (1975) Same as Type 4, "9" in content stamp is distinctly different.
7th Type (1977–83) Same as Type 5, with "-UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter
8th Type (1983–86) Same as Type 7,35 mm in diameter
9th Type (1986–90) Same as Type 8, grain stalks in the NV A emblem are stylized and closed
Silver
1st Type (1956–57) 900 Silver, gold plated, content stamp on rim at 6 o'clock, serial numbered at 12 o'clock on reverse. Obverse has dots separating inscriptions
2nd Type (1958–59) Same as Type 1, without dots
3rd Type (1959–60) Same as Type 2, without serial number
4th Type (1960–73) 900 Silver, gold plated, content stamp below the branches on the reverse at 6 o'clock, no serial number Obverse has dots.
5th Type (1973–76) Same as Type 4, bronze, gold plated.
6th Type (1975) Same as Type 4, "9" in content stamp is distinctly different.
7th Type (1977–83) Same as Type 5, with 11 -UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter
8th Type (1983-86) Same as Type 7, 35 mrn in diameter
9th Type (1986-90) Same as Type 8, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed
Bronze
1st Type (1956-57) Serial numbered at 12 o’clock on reverse. Obverse has dots separating inscription.
2nd Type (1958-59) Same as Type 1, without dots.
3rd Type (1959-60) Same as Type 2, without serial number
4th Type (1960-76) Same as Type 1, without serial number
5th Type (1977-83) Same as Type 4, with "-UND-", 34.7 mm
6th Type (1983–86) Same as Type 5, 35 mm in diameter
7th Type (1986–90) Same as Type 6, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed
Taschenlexikon Orden und Medaillen Staatliche Auszeichnungen der DDR, VEB Bibliographisches Institute, Leipzig, 1983
Standberg, John E., Auszeichnungen der Nationalen Volksarmee Part II, Die Nationale Volksarmee Issue No 11, Spring 1996
Pickard, Ralph, Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia; A Collector's Guide, Frontline Historical Publishing, Lorton, VA, 2007
March 10, 2023
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The Distinguished Service Medal of the National People s Army or Medal of Merit of the National People s Army German Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee was a medal issued in the German Democratic Republic GDR Distinguished Service Medal of the NPA TypeThree class orderAwarded for Outstanding merit and personal readiness in support of the increase of combat capability and combat readiness Presented by East GermanyStatusNo longer awardedFirst awardedJune 1 1956Last awarded1990Established on June 1 1956 in three levels Gold Silver and Bronze It was awarded for outstanding merit and personal readiness in support of the increase of combat capability and combat readiness of the National People s Army NPA Awarded in the name of the Minister for National Defense it was presented on the National People s Army Day 1 March on the Day of the Republic 7 October or immediately after the achievement Contents 1 Classes 2 Award criteria 3 Medal description 4 Medal variations 4 1 Gold 4 2 Silver 4 3 Bronze 5 Well known recipients 6 See also 7 ReferencesClasses EditThe medal was granted in three classes bronze silver and gold The ribbon bars are depicted below Bronze Silver GoldAward criteria EditThe medal was presented to People s Army of the GDR here Officers 1 governmental s decorations ribbon bares orders honorary titles medals 2 nongovernmental s prizes 3 non state s awards 4 Graduate badge Members of the Landstreitkrafte Army Volksmarine Navy Luftstreitkrafte Air Forces Ministerium fur Staatssicherheit MfS Ministry for State Security commonly known as the Stasi including Stasi agents and informers Individuals in civil service Individuals employed by the National People s Army Individuals who are not members of the National People s Army Collectives with membership of any of the previously mentioned groupsBy regulation all three levels could be awarded to any rank in the armed forces But in practice the gold medal was usually reserved to field grade and general officers while the silver and bronze grades were more commonly awarded to noncommissioned officers NCOs and company grade officers An individual of any rank who had earned the Best Soldier badge German Bestenabzeichen for seven consecutive years was eligible for the bronze medal for nine years the silver medal and twelve years the gold medal Medal description EditThe medal was designed by the Berlin graphic artist Paul Gensch It is round and either bronze colored Bronze silvered Silver or gilded Gold and has a diameter of 35 mm 1 4 inches On the front are profiles of the busts of a 1950s era sailor airman and soldier representing the nation s Land Air and Naval forces under which is spelled out DDR On each side of this are three oak leaves with an acorn The words FUR HERVORRAGENDE VERDIENSTE FOR OUTSTANDING MERIT form the upper part of the medal the lower part contain the words NATIONALE VOLKSARMEE NATIONAL PEOPLE S ARMY On the reverse side are the state coat of arms of East Germany surrounded with the words FUR DEN SCHUTZ DER ARBEITER UND BAUERN MACHT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WORKERS AND FARMERS POWER surrounded by two branches of laurel The medal is suspended from a five sided cloth ribbon which is 48 mm 1 9 inches at the widest point The ribbon is red with black narrow edge stripes and a narrow yellow stripe 1 mm 1 32 inch from the black edge stripe The Silver medal is suspended from the same basic ribbon but has the addition of a 3 mm just over 3 32 inch wide center stripe of silver white On the Gold medal ribbon the center stripe is gold yellow The ribbon bar is 24 mm just under 1 inch wide rectangular and corresponds with the medal ribbon The medal was awarded with a certificate and financial allowance and was worn on the left upper chest Certificate Distinguished Service Medal of the National People s Army Silver presented to Stasi CaptainMedal variations EditSeveral distinct variations of each grade of this medal exist According to research by John Standberg the different types are Gold Edit 1st Type 1956 57 900 Silver gold plated content stamp on rim at 6 o clock serial numbered at 12 o clock on reverse Obverse has dots separating inscriptions 2nd Type 1958 59 Same as Type 1 without dots 3rd Type 1959 60 Same as Type 2 without serial number 4th Type 1960 72 900 Silver gold plated content stamp below the branches on the reverse at 6 o clock no serial number Obverse has dots 5th Type 1973 76 Same as Type 4 bronze gold plated 6th Type 1975 Same as Type 4 9 in content stamp is distinctly different 7th Type 1977 83 Same as Type 5 with UND 34 7 mm in diameter 8th Type 1983 86 Same as Type 7 35 mm in diameter 9th Type 1986 90 Same as Type 8 grain stalks in the NV A emblem are stylized and closedSilver Edit 1st Type 1956 57 900 Silver gold plated content stamp on rim at 6 o clock serial numbered at 12 o clock on reverse Obverse has dots separating inscriptions 2nd Type 1958 59 Same as Type 1 without dots 3rd Type 1959 60 Same as Type 2 without serial number 4th Type 1960 73 900 Silver gold plated content stamp below the branches on the reverse at 6 o clock no serial number Obverse has dots 5th Type 1973 76 Same as Type 4 bronze gold plated 6th Type 1975 Same as Type 4 9 in content stamp is distinctly different 7th Type 1977 83 Same as Type 5 with 11 UND 34 7 mm in diameter 8th Type 1983 86 Same as Type 7 35 mrn in diameter 9th Type 1986 90 Same as Type 8 grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closedBronze Edit 1st Type 1956 57 Serial numbered at 12 o clock on reverse Obverse has dots separating inscription 2nd Type 1958 59 Same as Type 1 without dots 3rd Type 1959 60 Same as Type 2 without serial number 4th Type 1960 76 Same as Type 1 without serial number 5th Type 1977 83 Same as Type 4 with UND 34 7 mm 6th Type 1983 86 Same as Type 5 35 mm in diameter 7th Type 1986 90 Same as Type 6 grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closedWell known recipients EditGold Karl Eduard von Schnitzler famous for his reporting for Der schwarze Kanal Bronze Vladimir Putin awarded in 1988 by Stasi chief Erich Mielke for his service as a KGB agent in Dresden and Leipzig See also EditAwards and decorations of East Germany National People s ArmyReferences EditTaschenlexikon Orden und Medaillen Staatliche Auszeichnungen der DDR VEB Bibliographisches Institute Leipzig 1983 Standberg John E Auszeichnungen der Nationalen Volksarmee Part II Die Nationale Volksarmee Issue No 11 Spring 1996 Pickard Ralph Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia A Collector s Guide Frontline Historical Publishing Lorton VA 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Distinguished Service Medal of the National People 27s Army amp oldid 1081735728, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
