German WWII Cased Third Class Social Welfare Award-This is a choice example of a social welfare award. It is made of multiple enameled construction with beautiful gilted highlighted details. This was one of the special awards given to individuals who were concerned with the economic and social wellbeing of the German population. This badge is in its original red leatherette case. The case is in excellent condition and has a very nice maker stamp on the bottom. The maker is Gebr. Godet & Co. Berlin. The award ribbon is included and contained in a separate sleeve in the top portion of the case. The sleeve is marked with “Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege 1. Stufe” in gilded lettering. This translates to “Decoration of honor for German public welfare”. Choice example!
History: The social welfare award was a German Civil Award created by Adolf Hitler 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 the National Socialist People's Welfare Org., for 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. 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.