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 III Class cross was conferred for 20 years of service from 1923-1942, for 15 years of service from 1942-1945.

These III Class awards may have a large or small sized Holy Crown on the obverse. The III Class crosses awarded in 1923 feature a large Holy Crown on the obverse, while the III Class crosses awarded from 1924-1945 feature a smaller Holy Crown on the obverse.