Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of cannon bronze. The obverse features a wreath of laurel on the left and oak leaves on the right side, tied at the bottom by a ribbon, with a crowned monogram ‘L’ in the centre above a decorative line, with the inscription ‘GESTIFTET AM 14. JUNI 1840’ below. The reverse is smooth and features the same wreath, with the inscription ‘FÜR TREUEN DIENST IM KRIEGE’ above a decorative line in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a red ribbon with narrow white side stripes.
A variant exists that is the same in every way, except without a period after the ‘14’ in the obverse inscription.

History

The Field Honour Decoration, 1840 was instituted by Grand Duke Ludwig II on the birthday of his father, Ludwig I, and was conferred upon all military personnel who participated in a military campaign supported by Hesse-Darmstadt between the years 1780 and 1866.

Individuals who rendered either combat or non-combat service were eligible to receive the medal.