Decorations

Lifesaving Medal

Rettungsmedaille

Lifesaving Medal

Prussia's gold Rettungsmedaille (Lifesaving Medal) was originally established on 13 August 1833 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III as a silver Lifesaving Medal. The gold version is documented as being awarded as early as 1881. It was awarded to any person who through personal danger had saved another person or who had attempted to and was awarded for combat or non-combat - with no distinction made in the award itself. The gold version was intended for those who had clearly qualified but who were of sufficient social status to warrant a special award at the time of their deed. This series of awards ended in 1924 although is seems that some other Prussian Livesaving awards continued until the 1930.

The Lifesaving Medal is made of various alloys of gold and uses the opposite color ribbon (approximately 30 cm wide, orange with 2 white stripes toward each end - very similar to the 3rd Reich West Wall Medal) as the Order of the Red Eagle. It's interesting to note that the original drawings of the medal specified that it would be of the same dimensions as the Prussian 1 Mark coin. The original issue obverse had KOENIG VON PREUSSEN*FRIEDRICH WILHELM III circling the King's profile. The reverse has changed many times but typically has the name of the medal (FÜR RETTUNG AUS GEFAHR) in raised lettering and has a leaf spray circle. Since it has been issued over a long span of time, there are many variants. It is unknown how many were issued and the WWI records are very sketchy. Almost none have appeared on the market and the majority are in medal groups.


CommanderDate  Command
Ltn. Albrecht, Wernerprewar  
Oblt. Andler, Rudolfprewar  

Kptlt. Feldt, Richardprewar  
Oblt. Fischer, Waldemar von1916 to 1918  
Oblt. Forstmann, Walter25 Aug 1908  
Kptlt. Forstner, Georg-Günther vonprewar  

Oblt. Grünert, Franzprewar  

Kptlt. Hennig, Heinrich vonprewar  

Kptlt. Klasing, Johannesprewar  
Kptlt. Kophamel, Waldemarprewar  

Kptlt. Lemmer, Johannesprewar  
Ltn. Lorenz, Hellmutprewar  

Ltn. Meusel, Karl1907 or earlier  

Ltn. Reiche, Curt von1914 to 1916  

Oblt. Schapler, Kurtprewar  
Schneider, Rudolfprewar  
Oblt. Schweinitz und Krain, Hans Arthur Graf von27 Mar 1909  
Kptlt. Sieß, Gustavprewar  
Oblt. Starke, Wilhelm-Friedrichprewar  
Oblt. Stohwasser, Herbertprewar  
Ltn. Stoßberg, Arthurprewar  
Kptlt. Studt, Ferdinandprewar  

Ltn. Valentiner, Maxprewar  

Ltn. Wacker, Karlprewar  
Oblt. Waßner, Erwin1914 to 1916  UC 3
Oblt. Weddigen, Otto1907 or earlier  
Kptlt. Wickel, Clemensprewar  

27 officers decorated with Lifesaving Medal (Rettungsmedaille) located.

Note: This listing is still being compiled and some recipients might be missing.

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