Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a very nice genuine medal bar, owned by a German soldier who fought during WWII, and looks to have spend time in the RAD for a long period prior to his military service. The condition overall is very good, though there is fading of the ribbons and oxidation to the awards, so this was probably on display for a long period of time.

The set of 2 medals offered in very good condition is mounted on a metal backing board, with the ribbons installed "Austrian Style", which has them go around the bottom with pleats. It has a fabric backing, and a long attachment pin on the back, consisting of the following awards:-

- German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (KVKII)
- German WWII RAD Reichsarbeitdienst 4th Class Long Service Award in Bronze for 4 Years Service.

Below is an explanation of each medal in detail:

War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) with Swords (for Combat)
This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars. The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords for meritorious service to civilians in "furtherance of the war effort". As with the Iron Cross, Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.

RAD Long Service Award:
The Long Service Awards were instituted by Adolf H on January 30th, 1938, and were conferred upon voluntary male and female members of the National Labor Service for long and meritorious service. The National Labour Service was established in 1929 as a voluntary service, but in June 1935, it became compulsorily for men ages 18-26 to serve for a period of six months. In 1938, the compulsory service period was extended to women. The number of years serving in the RAD during war counted for double.

The design is a die struck alloy award in the form of a 40mm tall vertical oval, with a loop to its top, through which passes the suspension ring for its cornflower blue ribbon. The raised edges of the oval, obverse and reverse, are in imitation of an oak leaf wreath. Against the plain background field of the obverse is embossed the RAD logo of an upright spade head, with a mobile swastika to it, and sprigs of barley extending from either side of its base. Against the plain field of the reverse is the embossed, Gothic script, “Für treue Dienste im Reichs-Arbeits-dienst” (For loyal Service in-the National-labor-service).

It was awarded in the following grades:
- 4th Class (Bronze): 4 years of service
- 3rd Class (Silver): 12 years of service
- 2nd Class (Gilt/Silver): 18 years of service
- 1st Class (Gold): 25 years of service