The Wehrmacht Long Service Award 2nd Class for 18 Years represents a significant chapter in German military history during the Third Reich era. This decoration was instituted on March 16, 1936 by Adolf Hitler and replaced the previous service awards of the Weimar Republic.

The Wehrmacht Long Service Awards were conferred in four grades: for 4, 12, 18, and 25 years of service. The present 2nd Class award for 18 years thus represents the second-highest grade of this honor and was awarded to soldiers and officers who had served nearly two decades in the military service of the German Reich.

The design of this decoration followed precise specifications. The main element consisted of an iron cross that was silver-plated - a characteristic feature of the 2nd Class. At the center of the cross was a swastika, surrounded by an oakleaf wreath. The reverse bore the inscription “Treue Dienste in der Wehrmacht” (Faithful Service in the Wehrmacht) along with the date of institution “16.3.1936”.

The award's ribbon was in the German national colors of black, white, and red, with the exact arrangement specified in the Army regulations. Additionally, a small ribbon eagle was worn on the ribbon - a small metal Reich eagle that symbolized Wehrmacht affiliation. This ribbon eagle was a characteristic element of Wehrmacht uniforms and was attached according to precise regulations.

The award criteria were strictly defined. For the 18-year service award, 18 years of active military service had to be documented. Certain periods from the Imperial Army and the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic were also counted. This meant that many recipients of this award had already served during World War I and continued their military careers across multiple political systems.

Production was carried out by various state-authorized manufacturers. The material consisted of iron, which was silver-plated for the 2nd Class - in contrast to the 1st Class for 25 years, which was gold-plated. The 3rd Class for 12 years was also silver-plated, while the 4th Class for 4 years consisted of unlacquered iron.

Historically, this decoration documents the personnel continuity between the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic and the Wehrmacht. Many bearers of the 18-year service award had begun their military careers in the Imperial Army, served during the Weimar period, and continued their careers in the Wehrmacht. This continuity was of considerable importance for the rapid expansion of the Wehrmacht from 1935 onwards.

The manner of wearing was precisely regulated. The decoration could be worn as a complete medal on the left breast or in the form of the ribbon with ribbon eagle in the buttonhole. In daily service, often only the ribbon with the characteristic eagle was common, while the complete decoration was worn at official occasions and in dress uniform.

After the end of World War II in May 1945, Control Council Law No. 1 of September 20, 1945 prohibited the wearing of all National Socialist orders and decorations. This also affected the Wehrmacht Long Service Awards. In the Federal Republic of Germany, denazified versions without the swastika were later created, which could be worn by former Wehrmacht members.

Today, these decorations are important military-historical documents that provide insight into the Wehrmacht's award system. They are preserved in museums and collections and serve historical research and education. The present specimen with ribbon and ribbon eagle represents a complete set as it was awarded to a soldier.

Research into these decorations contributes to understanding 20th-century military history and documents the institutional development of the German armed forces through various political epochs.