Original Item: Only One Available. The Social Welfare Decoration (German: Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege) was a German Civil Award created by Adolf AH on 1 May 1939 for services in the social sector. The decoration was issued in three classes and was awarded for a wide variety of service, in the social sector, to the German state. Qualifying service would have been with Winterhilfswerk, National Socialist People's Welfare, medical and rescue work, or care of foreign and ethnic Germans. As a replacement for the German Red Cross Decoration, it was conferred in four classes consisting of a white-enameled gold Balkenkreuz (beam cross) with Reich eagle and swas.

The main requirement for the award was that the service rendered should be to the benefit of the civil population. Reinhard Heydrich was awarded the decoration for his running of the Gestapo in the 1930s and for providing "security" to the German people. The infamous Doctor Josef Mengele was also awarded the decoration in 1941, for providing medical services to wounded soldiers and civilians alike on the battlefields of the Eastern Front.

This example of the Social Welfare Decoration 3rd class is in excellent condition, and comes complete with the original ribbon as well as the presentation case. It shows just a bit of oxidation due to age, with the enamel retained at nearly 100%, and the gilding is close to there as well. It does not look to have been worn for any large amount of time, nor has it been fitted for a mounting bar. The original red and white ribbon is still folded and tucked under a strap, and does show some fading, but does not look to have been used much, so that is all due to age. It is possible that it was on display next to the case for a while, resulting in fading.

The included original red leatherette case is in very good condition, with the issue being that the closure catch on the bottom is missing, so it does not stay closed. It is lined with blue satin and faux velvet plush material, and still has the blue ribbon on the lid indicating the award it is for:

Ehrenzeichen
für deutsche Volkspflege

3. Stufe

The bottom of the case is embossed with the maker information along with the Godet logo: 

Gebrüder Godet & Co. was a well-known maker of awards and other small items during WWII, and were one of the few makers that made several high class awards, being one of the eight manufacturers of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.

A great German WWII Third Class Social Welfare decoration, still in the box and ready to display!

History of the German Red Cross (DRK)

The DRK, "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" (German Red Cross), a voluntary civil assistance organization originally instituted in 1864, was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention in 1929. In December 1937 it gained status