The Civil Defence Decorations were instituted, by Adolf Hitler on January 30th 1938, in two classes for award to German national personnel serving in the RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) the SHD, Sicherheits und Hilfs Dienst, (Security and Assistance Service), the Werkschutz, (Factory Protection Police) and the Ordnungspolizei, (Order Police), who had participated in the civil air defence of German from January 1933.
The first class award (gilt finish) was bestowed for exceptional service while the second class award (Silver finish) was issued for honorable, meritorious service. Regulations of May 4th 1937 extended award of the decorations to non-German personnel if they met the required criteria.
