Cross of Honor of the German Mother medal, 2nd Class Order, Silver Cross
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 15.800 inches (40.132 cm) | Width: 1.400 inches (3.556 cm)
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2002 by Gerald Schwab.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Gerald Schwab
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Susan Schwab and Teresa Marshall
Scope and Content
The Mother's Cross was instituted by the Nazi Party in 1938. It was first awarded in 1939 to some 3 million mothers as a propaganda measure to promote National Socialist population policy.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Silver, cross pattee medal with a black enamel swastika in the center on a white circular field surrounded by raised, silver-colored text. Between the triangular shaped arms is a square, silver sunburst that emanates from the swastika. The arms are blue enamel with a white border. A blue ribbon with white stripes is threaded through a rectangular metal loop on the top of the cross. It is not sewn closed. There is text engraved on the back.
reverse, engraved : 16. / Dezember / 1938 / Adolf Hitler [in cursive]
Corporate Bodies
- Nazi Party
Subjects
- Germany--Population policy--History.
- Mothers--Germany--History--20th century.
- Nazi propaganda.
- National Socialism and women.
- Women--Germany--History--20th century.
Genre
- Awards
- Object