Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords certificate_of_authenticity as United States forces were

as United States forces were retreating into Bataan

he was born in Neudek (also known as Nejdek)

with the German eagle directly below

Towards the edge of the cap is also a warm brown perforated leather sweatband that has separated from the cap on the front half of the cap

A 1939/1940 München Kriegswinterhilfswerk badge

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords certificate_of_authenticity as United States forces were(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, with crossed swords through the centerpiece, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 48. 82 mm (w) x 48. 44 mm (h), weighing 17. 2 grams, in near extremely fine condition.