The
Luftwaffe Roll of Honor Clasp is the same type of award as it's
Heer and
Kriegsmarine counterparts in the
Wehrmacht. It was an outward sign that the wearer had been entered into the 'Luftwaffe Roll of Honor'.
Göring, being infatuated with medals and regalia, and not wanting to be outdone, belatedly instituted a Honor Roll clasp for the Luftwaffe in 1944. The first recorded instance of it being awarded was September 5, 1944. The badge was also similar in appearance, qualifications, and wear as the other badges - providing a sense of uniformity with the other services.
Technical Aspects
The badge was, like the other two models, a
gilt metal wreath of
oak leaves wich had a rough appearance taking the outline of the oak leaves themselves. There are six bunches of three
leaves on each side, meeting tip-to-tip at the
apex. At the base of the wreath are two small
acorns facing upwards. The wreath measures 24.5
mm across and the width of the oak leaves is 3.5mm. In the center of the wreath is a flying
eagle clutching a
swastika in it's
talons. The reverse is the negative of the obverse, and has four lugs to attach it to a strip of
Iron Cross Second Class ribbon.
Wear & Qualifications
The clasp was worn attached to the
Iron Cross Second Class ribbon, looped through the second
button hole on the
tunic, as prescribed. If the awardee had already earned the
1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross Second Class, it was removed and the Roll of Honor clasp worn instead.
The badge, like the others, had no specific criteria for awarding. However, all those who had received the Luftwaffe Honor
Goblet, or the
Salver of Honor, as well as those who received the picture of the
Reichsmarschall in silver frame automatically received the clasp. Due in part to Göring's infatuation with awards, it is possible that over 30,000 Luftwaffe clasps were awarded between 1944 and the end of the war, making it a quite common award when compared with the small numbers awarded by the other branches.
See also
Army Roll of Honor Clasp;
Kriegsmarine Roll of Honor Clasp