The Iron Cross was established in 1813 in Breslau and given to soldiers in the wars against Napoleon. The Iron Cross was reauthorized in 1914 by Emperor Wilhelm II when the First World War started (see the WWI U-boat decoration).

The Iron Cross 2nd Class was worn on a ribbon in the button-hole of the jacket. Most of the time after the decoration it was worn in the Cross form. (see photo below)

The EK 2 was awarded for the first time to the U-Boat-force with order of the CinC Kriegsmarine for the whole crew of U-29 on 18 September 1939 (delivered when the boat arrived in port on 26 Sep). U-29 sank the day before the 22,500 tons British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous.

The officers from the U-29 being congratulated by Hitler for the first Iron Crosses awareded to the U-Boat force. At the left is commander Kptlt. Otto Schuhart, who received both the Crosses, then the LI, shaking Hitler's hand is the II WO Ltnt. Ludwig Forster and on the right is the I WO and later Oak Leaves owner Ltnt. Georg Lassen.

Kptlt. Fritz-Julius Lemp showing 3 grades of the Iron Cross; 2nd class ribbon on the button hole, 1st class Iron Cross on his left side and finally the Knights Cross around his neck.

Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz von 1914

The Bar for Iron Cross 1914 was awarded, when the man already was a owner of the Iron Cross from the WW I. The bar was worn over the EK 1 from 1914 or on the ribbon of the EK 2.