A Service Award Cross was an award for long-time service as a civil servant or member of the military. Prussia had a service cross for 25 years of service for officers and military doctors as well as service awards in the form of buckles for nine-, 15 - and 25-years' service in the active army.The Military Service Decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia was established in 1825 and could be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men in three classes for nine, 15, and 21 years of service. It consisted of an iron, silver, or gold buckle bearing the initials F. W. III on a blue ribbon, bordered in black, white, or yellow, respectively. The Long Service Cross for officers and physicians after 25 years of service, also established in 1825, was a gold cross on a blue ribbon in the center shield bearing the initials F. W. III. The reverse bore the Roman numeral XXV (25).