1957 & 2008 Awards

In 1957 a series of awards were re-designed with the removal of the swastika. This was done to allow WW2 veterans serving in the newly formed Bundeswehr to wear medals they had earned previously. Since the Second World War the German Army has been without a military award for valour. Historically the medal awarded was the Iron Cross, and a new version of the award was designed and considered for reintroduction in 2008. However, due it's negative association with Nazi Germany during WW2 the decision was made not to do so.