Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, By Ko, With Veterans Association Cross In Silver Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic shown in a classic dark

shown in a classic dark grey-blue service tunic with collar and shoulders insignia clearly communicating rank and branch

The oval badge bears the initials “DRL” (“Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen”) intertwined with

on a vertical pinback

He was now without funds to support himself or his family and the treatment in the sanatorium would now assure his continuance of pay

meaning "Through hardships to the stars"

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, By Ko, With Veterans Association Cross In Silver Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic shown in a classic dark(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse mit Kriegerbund Abzeichen in Silber). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a block hinge and vertical pinback