Procedure for Earning Awards:
Awards are based on a number of criteria. One of the main criteria has to do with attending events. When crediting unit members for events attended in their records, we include all events they attend, HRS or non-HRS. However, the member needs to attend the event as a member of the unit as their primary German impression, UNLESS they were asked to attend or given the OK to wear other impressions. Some events we have attended are German heavy and for a couple 353 members that attended, the event organizer asked if we could do US to help balance the dance card. This might also include parades where we ask members to wear allied impressions rather than German if they have the uniforms. Or, as at Rockford, we create a divisional HQ display, so we allow guys to wear high ranking officer impressions. When the unit attends an event as a group, they should be supporting the unit with their impression, not going out with another unit and claiming credit for the 353. An example to note that is when members attend the Ohio D-Day event, where all the unit member fall in with the OKW group, that is acceptable because we are attaching ourselves as a group to another unit to make a larger group. However, if they attend a tactical with an SS or Soviet group while the rest of our guys are doing 353, they don’t get credit.
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- Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie Sturmabzeichen). Awarded in Bronze to motorized infantry units who participated in three different infantry assaults on three different days.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who:
1. Participate in 12 public, immersion, training, or tactical events.
2. Have all items required for basic infantry impression as listed in Member Guidelines.
-General Assault Badge (Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen). Awarded to Pioneers, Artillerymen, Anti-Tank Units, and those not eligible for the Infantry Assault badge for participating in three different assaults on three different days.
1. Participate in 12 public events.
2. Have all items required for basic impression as listed in Member Guidelines.
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- Iron Cross Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse). The original criteria necessary to receive this award was to have performed a single act of bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who:
1. Participate in 15 public events.
2. Participate in 3 tacticals.
3. Be able to properly execute drill and weapon inspection.
4. Be able to disassemble k98 (including bolt) and re-assemble.
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- Iron Cross First Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse). The original criteria necessary to receive this coveted award was to have performed 6 to 7 acts of outstanding bravery in battle above and beyond the call of duty.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who:
1. Participate in 30 public events.
2. Participate in 6 tacticals.
3. Understand proper squad formations and deployment.
4. Understand basic German hand commands.
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-Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes). Awarded for continuous bravery and outstanding service, or a single incredible act of bravery.
*This, the highest award obtainable by a German Soldier is only awarded by the 353rd Inf Division For the actual saving of a life during a unit event.
-Honor Roll Clasp (Ehrenblatt des Deutschen Heeres). Awarded for continuous bravery after winning the Iron Cross first and second class. The original criteria necessary to receive this coveted award was to have performed 6 to 7 acts of outstanding bravery in battle above and beyond the call of duty.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who have attended 100 battles, Eastern and Western Front.
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-Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange). Originally awarded in Gold for 50 days of hand to hand fighting, Silver for 30 days, and Bronze for 15 days of hand to hand fighting.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd in Bronze for participating in 10 tacticals, in Silver for participating in 20 tacticals, in Gold for participating in 30 tacticals.
-Wound Badge (Verwundeten-Abzeichen). Awarded in Black for up to two wounds requiring medical attention, in Silver for 3 to 4 wounds, and Gold for 5 or more.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd for wounds received at an event requiring professional medical attention within 24 hours of receiving the wound, using the original criteria. Alternately may be awarded at the discretion of the command staff to members who have earned the Purple Heart in US military service or the equivalent in the military of another country.
-Wehrmacht Long Service Awards (Wehrmacht Dienstauszeichnungen). Originally awarded as follows: 1st Class - 25 years of service, 2nd Class - 18 years of service, 3rd Class - 12 years of service, and 4th Class - 4 years of service.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd as follows: 1st Class - 20 years reenacting in unit, 2nd Class - 15 years reenacting in unit , 3rd Class - 8 years reenacting in unit, and 4th Class - 4 years reenacting in unit.
-Medal For the Winter Campaign in Russia (Winterschlacht im Osten 1941-42). Awarded to those German Soldiers who served for at least sixty days in the Russian theatre of war or two weeks in combat, or were wounded while fighting there.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who:
1. have attended at least three (3) Eastern Front only events.
2. have attended at least one winter eastern front tactical
3. have slept out at least one of these events in weather below freezing.
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-War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz mit Schwertern 2. Klasse). The same basic criteria of the first Class award applies, but it was easier to qualify for this, the junior grade of the medal.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who participate as a noncombatant in 15 public events in direct support of combat troops. Alternately may be awarded at the discretion of the command staff for non-combat work above and beyond the call of duty.
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-War Merit Cross With Swords First Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz mit Schwertern 1. Klasse). Awarded to those members of the Armed forces who furthered the war effort, or showed bravery outside of direct combat in such a way that fell short of the Iron Cross 2nd Class after winning the War Merit medal 2nd Class.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who participate as a noncombatant in 30 public events in direct support of combat troops. Alternately may be awarded at the discretion of the command staff for non-combat work above and beyond the call of duty.
-War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse). The same basic criteria of the First Class award applies, but it was easier to qualify for this, the junior grade of the medal.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who participate as a noncombatant in 15 public events. Alternately may be awarded at the discretion of the command staff for non-combat work above and beyond the call of duty.
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-War Merit Cross First Class without Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse). Awarded to those individuals who furthered the war effort outside of the combat zone to recognize their service after receiving the War Merit medal 2nd Class without swords.
*Awarded to members of the 353rd who participate as a noncombatant in 30 public events. Alternately may be awarded at the discretion of the command staff for non-combat work above and beyond the call of duty.