History

This Decoration was based on the Long Service Decorations awarded throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with the addition of Hungarian symbols and design elements.

The crosses were awarded to Hungarian Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and non-combatants to recognize long and loyal service.

Each group of recipients was awarded the cross on a unique ribbon.

Officers have a red ribbon with thick white and green stripes along each side.

Non-Commissioned Officers have a white ribbon with a red, white, and green stripe in the centre of the ribbon, a green stripe along the left side, and a red stripe along the right side.

Non-combatants have a ribbon with a green centre with one thin red stripe in the middle and thick white and red stripes on along either side.

The I Class cross was conferred for 40 years of service from 1923-1942, and for 35 years of service from 1942-1945.