The Roll of Honor Clasp for the
Kriegsmarine was modeled after the
Heer (Army) version. On May 5, 1944
Großadmiral Dönitz instituted the naval version of the Honor Clasp to recognize those members of the
Wehrmacht's Kriegsmarine who had been entered on 'The
Honor Roll of the German Navy', which had been opened February 1943. Like it's Army counterpart, the clasp was the only outward sign that a
sailor had been inducted onto the honor roll. There are no exact estimations on how many of these were awarded, but it is the most difficult of the three clasps to find today.
Technical Aspects
In the Kriegsmarine's case, the badge was produced from a single stamping, but the
gilt wreath is slightly larger measuring 26
mm across. The
oak leaves that make up the wreath are continuous and are made up of 15, irregular bunches, measuring 3.5mm across. The center design is an
anchor surmounted by a
swastika. In this case the swastica is mobile (tilted at an angle) and also has the fine, recessed line running around the inner edge, as did the
Army Roll of Honor Clasp. The reverse side has four prongs to allow it to be attached to a strip of
Iron Cross Second Class
ribbon.
Qualifications
It was worn just as the Army counterpart, for wear and
qualifications. It's award was at the discretion of the OKM, or
Oberkommando der Marine, and it was quite rare. If an awardee already had the
1939 Clasp on their Iron Cross Second Class ribbon, it would be removed and only the Honor Roll clasp would then be worn.
Presentation
It was awarded in a black oblong box. In the case of this badge, the box's base was blue flocked and the lining was white silk. It was accompanied by a document, and of course the recipient's name was recorded in the
official honor roll book.
See also
Army Roll of Honor Clasp;
Luftwaffe Roll of Honor Clasp