History

On May 1, 1939, the German Red Cross Awards were replaced by the German Social Welfare Decoration, which recognized not only Red Cross work, but the entire social welfare field. This included care of the sick and wounded, caring for German citizens in foreign countries, participation in the winter relief organization, and upholding ancestral German traditions.

On January 30, 1942, Adolf Hitler amended the Decoration to include swords on the ribbons of the Decorations awarded to recipients who had served in military roles on the front, as well as to women who had served in non-military roles on the front.

While Hitler approved the addition of swords to the ribbons of all grades, the only grades awarded with swords were the III Class Cross and the Social Welfare Medal.

When the Social Welfare Medal was awarded to women it was worn on a bow ribbon.