History

The Navy Brigade Ehrhardt Merit Badge was instituted in 1919 by Commander Hermann Ehrhardt of the Freikorps Marinebrigade Ehrhardt.

The corps was raised in February 1919 and was composed of around 6,000 men, the majority of which were former Navy personnel. The corps participated in the fight for Germany’s central cities and northwestern ports, as well as in the Kapp Putsch. The brigade was disbanded in March 1920, following the failed Putsch.

The badge was instituted on February 17, 1920 and conferred upon Freikorps personnel who rendered impeccable service and had demonstrated bravery in the field.

The majority of the badges were issued from April to May 1920. The brigade was disbanded on May 12, 1920.

The badge is in the form of a square with three horizontal parts, the upper one with the inscription "VERDIENST UMS", the middle one in black/white/red with a laurel wreath in the centre, and the bottom one with the inscription "VATERLAND" (translating to "for merit for the fatherland").