War Cross for Civil Merits
| War Cross for Civil Merits Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste | |
|---|---|
War Cross for Civil Merits, first class | |
| Type | Four class, Civil decoration |
| Awarded for | Distinguished service through outstanding zeal and sacrifice to the war effort |
| Presented by | Austria-Hungary |
| Status | No longer awarded after the fall of the Austrian Empire |
| Established | 16 August 1915 |
| Final award | 1918 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Military Merit Cross |
| Next (lower) | Military Merit Medal |
The War Cross for Civil Merits (German: Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste) was a civil award of Austria-Hungary. Established on 16 August 1915 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, it recognized civilian war service during World War I. The cross could also be awarded to military officers for their contributions to the war but were not directly involved in combat operations.