Gauleiter Adolf Wagner - Awards

[Michael Miller]

A still from the Deutsche Wochenschau - Kriegsjahr 1944 - 113, showing one of Wagner's award cushions. I can't make out all of the awards. I think I may see a Finnish Cross of Liberty (grade?) at far left of the medal bar. Obviously KVK II ohne Schwerter (I'm guessing as much, as ribbon is included), Kreuz von Danzig I. Klasse, Ehrenzeichen für Deutsche Volkspflege 1. Stufe, Dienstauszeichnungen der NSDAP (Bronze, Silber, & Gold - gold displayed separately from medal bar), Verwundetenabzeichen (1918) in Silber, but the star and the neck cross (Romanian) elude me. Here are the awards and other honors of Wagner that I'm aware of:

18.04.1944 Goldenes Kreuz mit Eichenlaub des Deutschen Ordens (posthumous award)
00.00.191_ Ritterkreuz des Fürstlichen Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Krone und Schwertern
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
ca. 1918 Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Silber
ca. 1934 Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 mit Schwertern
00.00.1933 Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP
09.11.1933 Blutorden der NSDAP (Nr. 43)
00.00.194_ Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Gold
00.00.194_ Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Silber
00.00.194_ Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Bronze
ca. 1939 Ehrenzeichen für Deutsche Volkspflege 1. Stufe
ca. 1939 Kreuz von Danzig I. Klasse
16.07.1937 Silberne Ehrenmedaille der Akademie der Bildenden Künste
00.02.1934 Ehrenwinkel für alte Kämpfer (SA)
01.10.1940 Ehrenbürgerrecht der Stadt München
00.00.1938 Ehrenbürgerrecht der Stadt Regensburg
23.05.1933 Ehrenbürgerrecht von Sauerlach und Ottersing
16.07.1933 Ehrenbürgerrecht der Stadt Rosenheim
10.12.1933 Ehrenbürgerrecht der Gemeinde Mittenwald
00.00.193_ Ehrenbürgerrecht der Gemeinde Tutzing (revoked at a special session of the Gemeinderat, 09.02.2009)
00.00.193_ Ehrenbürgerrecht der Stat Aichach (revoked 06.11.1945)
00.00.193_ Ehrenbürgerrecht der Stat Erbendorf

With best wishes and thanks in advance for any help,
~ Mike

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn5L3y5V ... EDC616910B[/youtube]

[Cartaphilus]

The badge on the right of the Social Welfare Decoration (or German Red Cross) seems to be the yugoslavian Order of Saint Sava, and the big star under the medal bar looks like the Grand Cross of Prince Pribina from Slovakia.

[Michael Miller]

Having just googled both awards, I'd say you're 100% correct. Thanks so much - this is very, very helpful.

Sincerely,
~ Mike

[coburg22]

Great photo Mike. The German Order must be on the other pillow with his Golden Party Badge and Blood Order. Mike who is the Gauleiter at 5:01?

Best,

James

[Mark Costa]

James:

The German Order was not added to the funeral pillow until the ceremony at the Ehrentemples at the grave site. Unfortunately no photo can be found (believe me I have looked) and the newsreels cameras do not capture the correct pillow. There is a long shot photo of the medal being pinned to the pillow by an low ranking PL leader as Giesler speaks at a microphone, but the photo was taken from behind and the medal can't be seen. These nazis just can't take the photos we want !!

[coburg22]

Thanks Mark for the info regarding the German Order, I figure if anyone knew it would be you. I wonder then if that is Gauleiter Paul Giesler at 5:01 on the youtube video?

Best,

James

[Mark Costa]

James:

Yes at 5:01 that is Giesler preparing to make a speech at the grave. If you check out around 4:23 you will see the other pillow and it contains the GPB, BO, Gold HJ Badge etc with a large empty spot right in the middle. They probably left it open for the medal to pinned to. Why Hitler did not do it at the cermonies earlier is unknown. He certainly pinned the medal for Todt, Hedyrich and Lutze as there are photos of him doing it. Huhnlein was not given the medal until the day after the funeral and no allowance was made for it on his pillows. Hitler did not attend Burckel or Schmundt's funerals at all and the medals were probably pinned by others when the medal was presented.

Mark

[coburg22]

Hello Mark,

Thank you for the answer and the additional information concerning the German Order.

Best,

James

[coburg22]

Mike,

Second to last on the ribbon bar is the German Westwall Medal followed by the Danzig Cross 2nd Class. It's strange how they have the KVK II wo/Swords all by itself rather then on the ribbon bar seeing as how that was such a minor award.

Mark,

Thanks for pointing out the other funeral pillow. Your right there is a large open space in the center for the German Order.

Best,

James

[Erich S]

I have never seen a Blood Order pinned on a pillow. Does anyone have a photo of one?

[coburg22]

Hello Erich,

The one I saw on Adolf Hühnlein's funeral pillow shows the Blood Order medal with the ribbon being fanned out in a semi-circle across the top. I don't know how to highlight the links but if you look up Adolf Hühnlein Funeral Pics on the search engine it shows a great close up photo of both of his funeral pillows in full color. I am sure Mark has probably seen a variety of methods though.

Best,

James

[Erich S]

Thanks James, that's the first photo that I have seen of a pillow with the Blood Order. Now to find a photo of a pillow with the Coburg Badge!

[coburg22]

Hello Erich,

Your welcome. If anyone has a pic to post of Julius Schreck's funeral pillow in 1936 I am sure the Coburg Badge would be on it.

Best,

James