The Parachutist Badge (Nazi Germany), officially known as the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe, was a military decoration of Nazi Germany awarded to qualified paratroopers of the Luftwaffe. It was one of the earliest specialized combat badges instituted in the Third Reich and signified the wearer's completion of rigorous paratrooper training and demonstration of combat readiness.
Institution and Purpose: The badge was instituted by Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, on 5 November 1936. Its creation reflected the German military's early emphasis on airborne operations and the recognition of paratroopers as an elite and strategically important force within the armed services. The badge served to distinguish those who had completed the demanding training required for airborne insertions and operations.
Award Criteria: Initially, the primary criterion for the award was the completion of the prescribed training course at a Luftwaffe parachute school and a minimum of six parachute jumps. These jumps had to be successfully executed, demonstrating proficiency and a certain level of courage. Over time, particularly as World War II progressed and airborne operations became more common and hazardous, the criteria might have been implicitly or explicitly extended to include participation in combat jumps or sustained periods of service within a parachute unit, although the core requirement remained the successful completion of the training.
Design: The design of the Parachutist Badge featured an oval-shaped silver wreath of oak leaves on the left side and laurel leaves on the right. In the center, a gold-plated diving eagle, clutching a swastika in its talons, was superimposed. The eagle represented the Luftwaffe (Air Force), and its diving posture symbolized the paratrooper's descent. The badge was typically manufactured from various materials throughout the war, including nickel silver, tombac, and later zinc, depending on material availability. It was worn on the lower left breast pocket of the uniform.
Significance: Possession of the Parachutist Badge was a source of great pride and identified the wearer as a member of an elite and highly trained branch of the German military. Paratroopers (Fallschirmjäger) were often deployed in critical and dangerous operations, and the badge became a symbol of their specialized skills, bravery, and readiness for arduous combat. It was a highly respected award within the Wehrmacht.
Post-War Status: Following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, the wearing of all Nazi-era decorations, including the Parachutist Badge with its swastika emblem, was prohibited. In 1957, the Federal Republic of Germany authorized the replacement of many World War II awards for veterans, removing the swastika where present. However, for specialized badges like the Parachutist Badge, veterans were permitted to wear a de-Nazified version that replaced the eagle clutching the swastika with a plain Luftwaffe eagle.