Prussian Golden Military Merit Cross, so-called “Enlisted Man's Pour le Mérite”. This is a typical production by the firm Johann Wagner Berlin from World War I. Silver gilt, stamped “938 W” in the lower arm of the cross, complete with original ribbon in original presentation case. Lightly worn in very good condition. Accompanied by the large award document, issued to “Submarine Helmsman Johannes Gewald of a submarine flotilla”, issued Berlin, February 15, 1918. Submarine War Badge 1918. Tombac, reverse with maker's mark “Walter Schot fec.”, condition 2. Accompanied by the matching miniature and the certificate of ownership, issued by the Headquarters of the Submarine Division, dated Kiel, April 17, 1919. Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class, on the medal bar (together with the Golden Military Merit Cross, for attachment), with the small field clasp included. Accompanied by the Provisional Certificate of Ownership, issued by Submarine Flotilla Flanders, dated Brügge, May 26, 1916. Furthermore, a certificate of ownership issued by the Command of U-Flotilla Flanders, dated Kiel, April 3, 1919. Iron Cross 1914 1st Class. Iron core, maker on the pin “K.A.G.”, in presentation case with silk lining and purple velvet insert, condition 2. Accompanied by the Provisional Certificate of Ownership, issued by the General Command of the Marine Corps, dated K.H.Qu., March 30, 1917. Furthermore, a certificate of ownership issued by the Command of U-Flotilla Flanders, dated Kiel, April 3, 1919. Military passport of the Submarine Division, filled with all entries, promotions, decorations, deployments on UB 18, UC 65, UB 57 and UB 103, last entry October 1, 1919, with protective cover. A very fine portrait photograph as Submarine Helmsman with peaked cap. Handwritten service certificate for “U-Helmsman d.R. Joh. Gewald”, issued by his former U-boat commander Kapitänleutnant Otto Steinbrinck of UB 18, UC 65 and UB 57, dated Berlin, September 17, 1919. Very detailed description of Gewald's service on his U-boats as seaman No. 1, later as helmsman, among other things: “As prize and demolition group leader he destroyed 130 ships, frequently at night, often in bad weather... In doing so, he repeatedly showed extraordinary courage and great composure under direct enemy action. As a brilliant achievement, I would particularly like to emphasize an 80-hour voyage on a 3-masted full-rigged ship of 1700 tons, which he operated alone with three other men and navigated at night through the strongest enemy surveillance around Wolf Rock past the Scillies (December 23, 1917). Enclosed is a typewritten copy. Membership badge of the Submarine Comradeship, partly gilt and enameled, on long pin. Accompanied by a letter from the U-Boat Comradeship with the transmission of the badge, dated 1935, together with the statutes of the Submarine Comradeship. From the “Comradeship of Holders of the Prussian Golden Military Merit Cross” a total of 7 circulars from the years 1935-1937. Additionally 2 letters from his former U-boat commander Steinbrinck, dated 1936.

A historically unique and historically significant estate of one of the very few U-boat men with the “Enlisted Man's Pour le Mérite”.

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The Prussian Golden Military Merit Cross – The “Enlisted Men’s Pour le Mérite”

Among the military decorations of the Kingdom of Prussia, the Goldenes Militär-Verdienstkreuz (Golden Military Merit Cross) occupies a singular position. As the highest bravery award available to non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers, it stood as the exact equivalent of the legendary Pour le Mérite, which was reserved exclusively for officers. This parallel gave rise to its popular designation as the “Mannschafts-Pour le Mérite” – the Enlisted Men’s Pour le Mérite – a title reflecting the extraordinary esteem in which this decoration was held.

Origins and Institution

The roots of the Golden Military Merit Cross extend back to 1793, when King Frederick William II of Prussia established the Prussian Military Decoration of Honour. The decoration in its definitive form was instituted on 27 February 1864 by King Wilhelm I of Prussia. It was distinguished from the Military Decoration 1st Class (Militär-Ehrenzeichen I. Klasse), a lesser Prussian enlisted bravery decoration that took the form of an identical cross but executed in silver rather than gilt.

Design and Manufacture

The Golden Military Merit Cross takes the form of a cross pattée with a center medallion. The front of the medallion features the founder’s initial, “WR” for “William Rex” (Latin for king), surmounted by a crown. The reverse bears the inscription “Kriegs Verdienst” (War Merit) with two small laurel and oak branches below. The award was worn on a black ribbon with white side stripes in the Prussian colors, measuring 35 mm in width with two white stripes each 7 mm wide – making it 5 mm wider than the Iron Cross 1914 ribbon.

During the First World War, crosses were manufactured in gilded silver, with the marking “938” indicating a silver content of 93.8%. The present example bears the stamp “938 W” in the lower arm, the “W” denoting the manufacturing firm Johann Wagner of Berlin. Wagner produced two principal grades: the awarded grade in solid silver with fire gilding marked “938 W,” and a separate non-precious metal version in gilt Buntmetall intended as veterans’ wear duplicates.

Award Criteria and Rarity

The criteria for conferral were exceptionally demanding. The Golden Military Merit Cross was awarded exclusively to Prussian NCOs and enlisted men who already held both classes of the Iron Cross and had subsequently distinguished themselves in further conspicuous combat actions. Eligible personnel included members of Prussian Army units as well as the Navy and the Air Force. The equivalence between the Pour le Mérite and the Golden Military Merit Cross found its most visible expression in simultaneous awards to aircraft crews, where the officer would receive the Pour le Mérite and his NCO crewmember the Golden Cross.

The first award during the First World War was made in October 1916, followed by 54 more in 1917, with the remainder conferred in 1918. Among the wartime recipients were 27 naval personnel, including 12 U-boat men. The conferral rate among approximately 8 million eligible NCOs and enlisted men was about 1 in 4,520, compared to approximately 1 in 480 for officers receiving the Pour le Mérite – underscoring the extraordinary exclusivity of this decoration.

The Johannes Gewald Estate

This remarkable grouping originates from the estate of Unterseeboots-Steuermann (submarine helmsman) Johannes Gewald, who served with the Unterseeboots-Flottille Flandern (U-boat Flotilla Flanders). Gewald received the Golden Military Merit Cross on 15 February 1918. His military passport documents service aboard the submarines UB 18, UC 65, UB 57, and UB 103.

Of particular historical significance is the handwritten service testimonial composed by Gewald’s former commanding officer, Kapitänleutnant Otto Steinbrinck, dated Berlin, 17 September 1919. Steinbrinck was the third U-boat commander to receive the Pour le Mérite, awarded on 29 March 1916. He commanded UC 65 from 10 November 1916 to 31 July 1917 and destroyed a total of 94 merchant ships totaling 99,803 BRT, as well as the British mine cruiser Ariadne. The relationship between this celebrated commander and his trusted helmsman illuminates the close bonds forged in the confined world of submarine warfare.

Notable Recipients

Among the most celebrated holders of the Golden Military Merit Cross were five Jagdflieger (fighter pilots) who, upon subsequent promotion to commissioned rank, additionally received the Pour le Mérite: Karl Thom (27 aerial victories), Julius Buckler (36), Paul Bäumer (44), Otto Könnecke (35), and Fritz Rumey (45). Their dual distinction powerfully demonstrates the absolute equivalence of both decorations in the Prussian system of honors.

Post-War Privileges and Legacy

Recipients of the Golden Military Merit Cross enjoyed substantial privileges beyond the honor itself. They received a monthly honorary stipend that initially amounted to three thalers, later adjusted to 9 or 20 Reichsmarks. Remarkably, this stipend was maintained even after the fall of the Prussian monarchy in November 1918, continued through the Third Reich era, and was reestablished in West Germany in 1957 at 25 DM, increasing to 50 DM from 1986 onward. Recipients also enjoyed preferential treatment in invalid pensions and civil service appointments, as well as the right to a military funeral parade.

The estate includes correspondence from the “Kameradschaft der Inhaber des preußischen goldenen Militär-Verdienst-Kreuzes” (Association of Holders of the Prussian Golden Military Merit Cross) spanning 1935 to 1937, along with two personal letters from Steinbrinck dated 1936. These documents testify to the lifelong bonds of comradeship among the recipients of this exceptional decoration and the enduring connection between Gewald and his wartime commander.

Taken together, this grouping represents a remarkably complete assembly of awards, documents, and personal items from one of only twelve U-boat men to receive the Golden Military Merit Cross during the First World War – a testament to individual valor in one of the most dangerous theaters of the Great War.