History

The Pilot Commemorative Badge was instituted by the Minister of Aviation and the Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring, on March 16th, 1936. It was conferred upon personnel, such as pilots, air gunners, observers and paratroopers, who had been honourably discharged from the positions.

Recipients of the badge generally rendered a minimum of 15 years of service within their respective flying duties, but the minimum number of years was reduced to 4 years of service for pilots. The badge was also conferred upon Luftwaffe personnel who had been disabled or injured during operational flights, as well as to the next-of-kin of recipients who had died in the line of duty.

The decorations conferred prior to the onset of the Second World War were primarily manufactured out of "800" silver and aluminium. Wartime or replacement badges were produced out of lower quality materials.