The Eastern Medal was designed by SS-
Unterscharführer Ernst Krause. Measuring in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating. The concave obverse side features a
national socialist eagle grasping a
swastika with laurel behind. The reverse features the text in capital letters: "WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42" ("Winter Battle in the East 1941–42") featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. A helmet and stick grenade below the medal loop as well as outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect. The medal measures approximately 44mm by 36mm. The
Service ribbon featured a central white-black-white (white for snow, black for the fallen soldiers) stripe with red (for blood) either side. The medal and ribbon were presented in a paper packet with the name of the medal on the front and the maker name on the reverse. Like the
Iron Cross 2nd Class (EK II) 1939–45, the Eastern Medal's ribbon was worn either from the second buttonhole of the uniform tunic or on a ribbon bar. Where the two ribbons were worn together in the buttonhole, the EK II appeared in front of the Eastern Medal. Over three million medals were issued and many more manufactured. While wear of Nazi era awards was initially banned in 1945, the Eastern Medal was among those re-authorised for wear by the
Federal Republic of Germany in 1957. With Nazi symbols now forbidden,
the award was re-designed by removing the swastika, the eagle on the obverse now standing solely on a laurel branch. == Notes ==