EMBLEM OF HONOR

While the name is French the “Blue Max” is a legendary German award with an origin that dates back to 1667 when the German state of Brandenburg introduced the Order of Generosity (). The name was in French as it was the common language of many German courts of the day. The award (“For Merit”) by Prussian King Friedrich the Great in 1740. He issued it to loyal subjects for meritorious service in the pending war over the lands of Silesia. Today, it is more commonly known as the “Blue Max” — in no small part due to the book and film of the same name. It is among the most famous Imperial German decorations.