Awards

As a German cyber-squadron, JG 1 “Oesau” uses awards and decorations that are based firmly on the historical system used by the Luftwaffe (1935-1945). All awards and decorations are used to recognize excellence, and where possible the historical requirements have been maintained.

Historical grades and variations of the awards and decorations have also been preserved. The idea is to ensure that JG 1 pilots have an immersive experience within this squadron.

The current JG 1 “Oesau” awards and decorations are divided into six specific categories. They are:

Basic Qualification

These are progressive qualifications, where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Only the highest achieved qualification is actively displayed by a pilot. Retention of these basic qualifications are determined by a pilot's participation levels, and the currency requirements of the Geschwader.

Dog Tags (Erkennungsmarken)

Issued to all pilots upon entering JG 1 "Oesau". New pilots are given the introductory rank of Flieger, and are made a Kadett.

Flight Personnel Trade Badge (Fliegendes Personal Tätigkeitsabzeichen)

Given for the successful completion of all pre-A/B Schule evaluations.

Pilot’s License (Flugzeugführerschein)

Given for the successful completion of all Klasse A instruction. The pilot is promoted to the rank of Gefreiter, and moved on to Klasse B training.

Observer Badge (Beobachterabzeichen)

Given for the successful completion of an observer's probationary period. The observer is then promoted to the rank of Obergefreiter and is assigned to a Staffel.

Pilots Badge (Flugzeugführerabzeichen)

Given for the successful completion of all Klasse B instruction. The pilot is promoted to the rank of Obergefreiter, and is assigned to a Staffel.

Flying Clasp Awards

The flying clasp awards use the “streak and bank” system. A virtual death will wipe out your operational sorties, starting the pilot over again at zero. However, all achieved flying claps from that streak are permanently banked, and awarded to the pilot for retention.

The flying clasp awards are progressive awards, where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Each clasp can only be awarded once. Only the highest achieved award is actively displayed by a pilot.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp: Bronze Class (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Bronze)

Awarded for the completion of 20 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp: Silver Class (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Silber)

Awarded for the completion of 60 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp: Gold Class (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Gold)

Awarded for the completion of 110 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp with Pendant: 200 (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Gold mit anhänger: 200)

Awarded for the completion of 200 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp with Pendant: 300 (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Gold mit anhänger: 300)

Awarded for the completion of 300 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp with Pendant: 400 (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Gold mit anhänger: 400)

Awarded for the completion of 400 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp with Flower Pendant: 500 (Frontflugspange für Tagjäger in Gold mit blumenanhänger: 500)

Awarded for the completion of 500 operational combat sorties within one streak.

Honor Awards

Honor awards are non-progressive awards that can be given in any order. They are given to individuals based on rank, position or certain acts or services.

If based on rank or position, the award is conditional upon the pilot retaining that rank or position. Once the individual no longer qualifies, due to reassignment or retirement, the award is removed.

Flying Dagger with Swordknot (Fliegerdolch mit Portepee)

Awarded to all Unteroffiziere mit Portepee (senior non-commissioned officers): Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel, and Stabsfeldwebel

Officer Dagger 37 (Offizierdolch 37)

Awarded to all Offiziere (officers) of JG 1

Administrative NCO Trade badge (Verwaltungspersonal Tätigkeitsabzeichen)

Awarded to Stabsfeldwebeln (Flight Officers) who have been assigned to assist in the administrative planning of JG 1. These senior non-commissioned officers are known as Hauptfeldwebel, and are often nicknamed "Der Spieß" or "Mutter der Kompanie".

Richthofen Cuff Title ( Kriegserunnerungsband Jagdgeschwader Richthofen Nr.1)

A commemorative cuff title given to all pilots who, after serving within JG I "Richthofen", helped form II./JG 1 "Oesau" in December 2001.

Wehrmacht Long Service Award (Wehrmacht Dienstauszeichen)

Awarded for 4 years of active service to JG 1 "Oesau".

Panzer Badge of the Luftwaffe (Panzerkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe)

Given for participation in 3 armored assaults as a member of JG1.

Meritorious Decorations

Meritorious decorations within the gruppe are two-tiered, and permanent when given.

An individual may achieve an Armed Forces Report multiple times, and may display all of their Armed Forces Reports on the roster. When awarded an Armed Forces Report, the pilot is mentioned within the website blog, and receives the citation award.

The War Merit Cross is the second tier of merit, and is a progressive decoration where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Each War Merit Cross can only be awarded once. Only the highest War Merit Cross is actively displayed by a pilot.

Armed Forces Report (Wehrmachtbericht)

To be mentioned in an Armed Forces Report by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) is considered a high military honor. Such a citation is awarded to a JG 1 "Oesau" pilot for courage and achievements that contribute to the greater good of the Geschwader.

War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienst Kreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern)

Awarded for courage and achievements that are beyond the call of duty, which need not occur while facing the enemy.

War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords ( Kriegsverdienst Kreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern)

Awarded for continued courage and achievement by a War Merit Cross 2nd Class recipient.

Knight’s Cross to the War Merit Cross with Swords (Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes mit Schwertern)

Awarded for continued courage and achievement by a War Merit Cross 1st Class recipient.

Knight’s Cross to the War Merit Cross in Gold with Swords (Goldene Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes mit Schwertern)

Awarded for continued courage and achievements by a Knight's Cross to the War Merit Cross recipient.

Victory Decorations

The victory decorations use the “streak and bank” system. A virtual death will wipe out your aerial or ground victories, starting the pilot over again at zero. However, all achieved victory decorations from that streak are permanently banked, and awarded to the pilot for retention. Aerial and ground victories are not added together.

The victory decorations are progressive awards, where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Each decoration can only be awarded once. All earned decorations can be displayed at once by the individual.

Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for a pilots first aerial victory, or 3 ground victories, within one streak.

Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 2 aerial victories, or 6 ground victories, within one streak.

Goblet of Honor of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 5 aerial victories, or 15 ground victories, within one streak.

Honor Roll Clasp of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenblatt Spange des Luftwaffe)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 10 aerial victories, or 30 ground victories, within one streak.

German Cross in Gold Class (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold Klasse)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 20 aerial victories, or 60 ground victories, within one streak.

Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 35 aerial victories, or 105 ground victories, within one streak.

Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 50 aerial victories, or 160 ground victories, within one streak.

Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 65 aerial victories, or 225 ground victories, within one streak.

Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten)

Given for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Awarded for 80 aerial victories, or 300 ground victories, within one streak. This is the highest decoration given within JG 1.

Wound Badges

The wound badges use the “streak and bank” system. A virtual death will wipe out tallied wounds in action, starting the pilot over again at zero. However, all achieved wound badges from that streak are permanently banked, and awarded to the pilot for retention.

The wound badges are progressive awards, where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Each badge can only be awarded once. Only the highest achieved award is actively displayed by a pilot.

Wound Badge 1939: Black Class (Verwundeten-Abzeichen in Schwarz)

Awarded to JG 1 pilots who are wounded 1 or 2 times in fighting or air-raid or are injured in the line of duty, within one streak.

Wound Badge 1939: Silver Class (Verwundeten-Abzeichen in Silber)

Awarded to JG 1 pilots who are wounded 3 or 4 times in fighting or air-raid or are injured in the line of duty, within one streak.

Wound Badge 1939: Gold Class (Verwundeten-Abzeichen in Gold)

Awarded to JG 1 pilots who are wounded 5 times or more in fighting or air-raid or are injured in the line of duty, within one streak.