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.^[1] 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, 55 mm high and 55 mm across.^[1] A laurel wreath surrounds the center medallion, passing under 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 first through third classes had white enamel on the arms of the cross. The center medallion, also enameled white, bears the Emperor's monogram FJI (Franz Joseph Imperator), surrounding the letters is the inscription "Merito Civili tempore belli MCMXV" (Civil merit in time of war 1915). The cross was worn as a breast cross directly on the coat or uniform.