Prussia, Kingdom. A King Ernst August Silver Merit Medal, C.1845 Newly Listed He shot down 53 enemy

He shot down 53 enemy aircraft in Defense of the Reich

to the left thigh on July 1st 1917

encircled by a red enamel ring bearing the inscription in gilt letters “Patriae Ac Humanitati” (Fatherland and Humanity)

grave reference: I

numbered "R 189" in the lower left corner and photo credited "Sandau

Prussia, Kingdom. A King Ernst August Silver Merit Medal, C.1845 Newly Listed He shot down 53 enemy(Silberne Verdienstmedaille Knig Ernst August). Instituted 5 June 1841 by King Ernst August. (1841 1846 issue). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse with a central monogram of King Ernst August, the reverse with a central inscription of VERDIENST UMS VATERLAND (SERVICE TO THE FATHERLAND), the edge marked AMTSVOIGT RODEWALD, measuring 24. 74 mm in diameter, weighing 14. 1 grams (inclsuive of