History

The Officers' Long Service Decoration was instituted by King Friedrich Wilhelm III on the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The cross was conferred upon officers to recognise 25 years of exemplary and loyal service within the armed forces.

From its institution until the start of the First World War, the decoration was only awarded to officers, but in 1915, the statutes were extended to include senior non-commissioned officers, as well as military officials.

The recipient's service during wartime counted for double the service time.

From 1914 to 1920, the cross was composed of gilded war material or zinc.