Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, Military Division, Second Class breast star

Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, Second Class breast star, Military Division, with swords. A silver diamond shaped convex star and a white enamelled cross pattée, with crossed swords between the arms in gilt. Obverse: In the centre disc the crowned red eagle of Brandenburg, above a green laurel branch, charged with a small white and black quartered shield of Hohenzollern and encircled by the motto 'SINCERE ET CONSTANTER'. Reverse: Plain. A pin back brooch bar stamped 'JGuS'.

The Order of the Red Eagle was awarded to both military personnel and civilians, to recognize valour in combat, excellence in military leadership, long and faithful service to the kingdom, or other achievements. As with most German (and many other European) orders, the Order of the Red Eagle could only be awarded to commissioned officers or civilians of approximately equivalent status. However, there was a medal of the order, which could be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, lower ranking civil servants and other civilians. There are five classes to the order which originated in 1705 as the Order 'de la Sincerite' of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. The Order has different designs for the various periods of issue. This example is the Second Class breast star, 4th type, manufactured from 1854 to 1918. It was awarded with swords for military merit. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.