The first four classes of the Wehrmacht Long Service Award was designed by Dr Richard Klein and instituted, on the order of Adolf Hitler, on the 16th March 1936. On the 10th March 1939, the 40 year service award was introduced.
The Long Service Award was retroactive throughout a service member's career, encompassing Reichswehr service as well as service dating during and before World War I. As such, there were a handful of 40 year awards presented, even though the Third Reich itself existed for only 12 years (1933 - 1945).
Each branch of the Wehrmacht (army, navy, and air force) maintained their own version of the Long Service Award and the decoration was issued for four years (fourth class), 12 years (third class), 18 years (second class), 25 years (first class), and 40 years (1939 special class).
Regulations for wear on parade and ribbon bars
Recipients of lower year awards would wear the decoration simultaneously with higher level decorations
3rd Class (12 years) with 4th Class (four years)
2nd Class (18 years) with 4th Class (four years)
1st Class (25 years) with 3rd Class (12 years)
1st Class (25 years) with 3rd Class (12 years)
1st Class (40 years - 1939 special class - 25 years with addition of Oakleaves) with 3rd Class (12 years)
4 Years Long Service Award
Single 4 year- Pin Mount
Award document for 4 years long service
4 year long service award on parade bar
12 Years Long Service Award
12 year - on ribbon
Award document for 12 years long service
12 and 4 year long service awards on parade and ribbon bar
12 and 4 year long service awards in wear - ribbon bar
18 Years Long Service Award
18 year - Court Mount
18 and 4 year long service awards on parade and ribbon bar
25 Years Long Service Award
25 year - on ribbon
25 and 12 year long service awards on parade bar
25 and 12 year long service awards in wear - parade bar
40 Years Long Service Award
40 year - 1939 special class - 25 year with addition of Oakleaves, together with mini equivalent
