Skip to content
Jagdgeschwader 1JG I ‘Richthofen’

Awards

As a German cyber-squadron, JG Nr. I “Richthofen” uses awards and decorations that are based firmly on the historical system used by the Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte (1914-1918). 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 Nr. I pilots have an immersive experience within this squadron.

The current JG Nr. I “Richthofen” awards and decorations are divided into five 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 TagsErkennungsmarken

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

  • Pilot's LicenseFlugzeugführerschein

    Given for the successful completion of all Klasse A instruction. The pilot is moved on to Klasse B training.

  • Prussian Observers BadgePreußen Flieger Beobachterabzeichen

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

  • Prussian Air Gunner BadgePreußen Flieger Luftschütze Abzeichen

    Given for acting as an aerial gunner within at least one operational flight, manning an aircraft's turret-mounted machine guns.

  • Prussian Pilots BadgePreußen Abzeichen für Militär-Flugzeugführer

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

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.

  • Rittmeister's Walking StickGeschwaderstock

    Carved for Manfred von Richthofen by his mechanic, Josef Holzapfel. Given to the current Rittmeister of JG Nr. I "Richthofen".

  • Membership badge of the Imperial Aero ClubMitgliedschaft Abzeichen der Kaiserlichen aero-club

    A commemorative badge given to all pilots who served with JG Nr. I "Richthofen" prior to 2005.

  • Honor Cross for Combatants with Swords 1914-1918Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer mit Schwertern 1914-1918

    Awarded for 4 years of active service to JG Nr. I "Richthofen".

Meritorious Decorations

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

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

The Military Orders of Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Austria-Hungary are the second tier of merit, and are progressive decorations where lower attainments must be achieved before the higher ones can be earned. Each Military Order can only be awarded once. All awarded Military Orders may be displayed by a pilot.

  • German Army ReportDeutsch Armeebericht

    To be mentioned in an German Army Report by the Oberste Heeresleitung (OHL) is considered a high military honor. Such a citation is awarded to a JG Nr. I "Richthofen" pilot for courage and achievements that contribute to the greater good of the Geschwader.

  • Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown and SwordsBayern Militärverdienstorden 4. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern

    Awarded for bravery and military merit. This decoration ranks below the Bavarian Order of Max Joseph.

  • Saxon Knight's Cross of the Military Order of St. HenrySachsen Ritterkreuz des Militär-St. Heinrichs-Orden

    Awarded for conspicuous personal bravery on the battlefield or, more frequently in the case of officers of higher rank, for merit in positions of great responsibility.

  • Bavarian Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Max JosephBayern Ritterkreuz des Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden

    Awarded for bravery and meritorious leadership in battle.

  • Knights Cross of the Württemberg Military Merit OrderRitterkreuz des Württemberg Militärverdienstorden

    Awarded for bravery and exceptionally meritorious deeds in combat.

  • Saxe-Ernestine House Order 1st Class with SwordsSachsen-Ernestinischen Hausorden 1.Klasse mit Schwertern

    Awarded for bravery and exceptionally meritorious deeds in combat.

  • Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration and SwordsMilitärverdienstkreuz 3.Klasse mit Kriegsdekoration und Schwertern

    Awarded for bravery and exceptional meritorious deeds in combat.

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.

  • Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, Second ClassMilitärverdienstkreuz, II. Klasse

    Given for bravery or military merit in wartime. Awarded for the completion of 20 operational combat sorties within one streak.

  • Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, First ClassMilitärverdienstkreuz, I. Klasse

    Given for bravery or military merit in wartime. Awarded for the completion of 60 operational combat sorties within one streak.

  • Mecklenburg-Schwerin Friedrich Franz CrossFriedrich Franz Kreuz

    Given for exceptional services in any field associated with warfare. Awarded for the completion of 110 operation combat sorties within one streak.

  • Honor Goblet for the Victor in Air CombatEhrenbecher für den Sieger im Luftkampfe

    Awarded for a pilot's first aerial victory, within one streak.

  • Honor Goblet for Successful Attacks from the AirEhrenbecher für erfolgreiche Angriffe aus der Luft

    Awarded for a pilot's first ground victory, within one streak.

  • Iron Cross 2nd ClassEisernes Kreuz II. 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.

  • Iron Cross 1st ClassEisernes Kreuz I.Klasse

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

  • Knight's Cross with Swords of the Royal House Order of HohenzollernRitterkreuz mit Schwertern des Königlichen Hausorden von Hohenzollern

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

  • Order Pour le MériteBlauer Max

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

  • Order of the Red Eagle 3rd Class with Crown and SwordsRoter Adlerorden 3.Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern

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

  • Order Pour le Mérite with Oak LeavesBlauer Max 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. This is the highest decoration given within JG Nr. I.

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 1918: Black ClassVerwundeten-Abzeichen in Schwarz

    Awarded to JG Nr. I 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 1918: Silver ClassVerwundeten-Abzeichen in Silber

    Awarded to JG Nr. I 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 1918: Gold ClassVerwundeten-Abzeichen in Gold

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