4th Class Social Welfare Medal in Issue Packet by Godet

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > Red Cross/Social Welfare

A Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege 4. Stufe Medaille mit der Papiertüte by Gebr. Godet & Co of Berlin. Introduced May 1st 1939, the Social Welfare Decoration, was awarded for merits in the field of the People’s Welfare, the Winter Relief, the care of the sick and wounded in peace and war, the rescue, the maintenance of German nationality and the care of German national comrades abroad. It is constructed of a die struck tombak base that has been silver washed and finished in a protective lacquer coating. The round shaped obverse features the red cross/social welfare logo which consists of; an early closed winged national eagle, clutching a wreathed swastika in its talons, above a square (Greek Style) pebbled cross that lies on a smooth background and has a thin embossed outer border. The reverse depicts, in a gothic script: “Medaille für Deutsche Volkspflege”, (Medal for German Social Welfare) on that same smooth backing and outer border. The top has a soldered on loop and ring. The award measures approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Accompanying the award is 4 ¾ inches of red and white rayon ribbon. Both the award and ribbon come housed in their appropriate issue paper packet, that has been folded and glued together. The obverse of the packet reads, in Gothic style black ink: “Medaille für Deutsche Volkspflege” and “Gebr. Godet & Co. Berlin W.8. Charlottenstrs. 55”, within a rectangular border to the reverse. It measures approximately 2 3/8 inches wide by 4 1/8 inches tall. one minor tear to the top corner. A very nice assembly a desirable maker!