Physical Description

A circular medal with a raised border, constructed of silver. The obverse features the left-facing portrait of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig on a smooth background, with the circular inscription ‘ERNST LUDWIG GROSSHERZOG VON HESSEN’. The reverse is smooth and features a wreath of laurel on the left and oak leaves on the right, tied at the bottom by a ribbon, with the inscription ‘FÜR RETTUNG VON MENSCHEN-LEBEN’ in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a ribbon with a narrow light blue centre and light blue borders, with broad inner red stripes and narrow outer white stripes.

History

The General Honour Decoration for Life Saving was instituted by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and was conferred upon individuals who risked their own lives to save another person.

The medals feature numerous obverse inscriptions, including: FÜR RETTUNG VON MENSCHENLEBEN (for saving of human life), FÜR WIEDERHOLTE RETTUNG (for repeated saving), and FÜR RETTUNG AUS LEBENSGEFAHR (for rescue from mortal danger).