The General Honour Decoration (German: Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen) was a civil and military decoration of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Established 25 September 1843, the medal could be awarded to recognize several different accomplishments or merits, such as military merit, lifesaving and long service. The reason for the award of the medal was determined by the inscription on the reverse of the medal, with the obverse bearing the effigy of the reigning Grand Duke of Hesse.[1]
The General Honour Decoration with the inscriptions "Für Tapferkeit" ("For Bravery") and "Für Kriegsverdienste" ("For War Merits") served as the primary military decoration of Hesse during World War I.[2] As the rolls of the decoration were lost in World War II, a complete list of recipients is unknown.
Recipients of the Hessian General Honour Decoration "For Bravery" (Hessische Tapferkeitsmedaille)
Curt von Brandenstein, 1879-1964, Prussian Hauptmann, Infanterie-Leibregiment Großherzogin (3. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 117, recipient of the Pour le Mérite
Julius Buckler, German fighter ace, native of the Grand Duchy of Hesse
Gustav-Adolf von Zangen, Prussian lieutenant, Infanterie-Leibregiment Großherzogin (3. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 117, native of the Grand Duchy of Hesse, General der Infanterie in World War II
Klietmann, Dr. Kurt-Gerhard (1966). Pour le Mérite und Tapferkeitsmedaille. Berlin, Germany: Verlag "Die Ordenssammlung".
Miller, Michael (2015). Leaders Of The Storm Troops Volume 1. England: Helion & Company. ISBN978-1-909982-87-1.
Nimmergut, Jörg (1997). Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945. Munich, Germany: Zentralstelle für Wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde. ISBN3-00-001396-2.
O'Connor, Neal W. (2002). Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany and the Men Who Earned Them, Volume VII. Princeton, New Jersey: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN0-7643-1626-5.