War Cross for Civil Merits

The War Cross for Civil Merits (German: Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste) was a civil award of Austria-Hungary. Established on 16 August 1915 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, it recognized civilian war service during World War I. The cross could also be awarded to military officers for their contributions to the war but were not directly involved in combat operations.

War Cross for Civil Merits Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste
War Cross for Civil Merits, first class
Type	Four class, Civil decoration
Awarded for	Distinguished service through outstanding zeal and sacrifice to the war effort
Presented by	Austria-Hungary
Status	No longer awarded after the fall of the Austrian Empire
Established	16 August 1915
Final award	1918
Precedence
Next (higher)	Military Merit Cross
Next (lower)	Military Merit Medal

Appearance

The War Cross for Civil Merits is in the shape of a Cross pattée, The decoration measures 55 mm in height and 55 mm in width.A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, passing beneath the horizontal arms of the cross and in front of the vertical arms. The first- and second-class crosses are gilded, the third class is silver, and the fourth class is bronze.

The arms of the cross in the first through third classes are finished with white enamel. The central medallion, also enameled in white, displays the Emperor’s monogram “FJI” (Franz Joseph Imperator), encircled by the inscription “Merito Civili tempore belli MCMXV” (“Civil merit in time of war 1915”). The decoration was worn as a breast cross, attached directly to the coat or uniform.