WWII GERMAN RAD LONG SERVICE LABOR MEDAL -
The Reichsarbeitsdienst (or RAD, Reich Labour Service) was an institution established by Nazi Germany as an agency to reduce unemployment, similar to the Civilian Conservation Corps of the United States. During the Second World War it was an auxiliary formation which provided support for the Wehrmacht.

The RAD was formed during July 1934 as the official state labour service. The RAD was an amalgamation of the many labour organisations formed in Germany during the times of the Weimar Republic. RAD members were to provide service for various civic, military and agricultural construction projects. Konstantin Hierl was its director during the organization's entire lifetime.

This is a WWII Long Service award of the National Labor Service ( RAD) silver medal. The award consisted of an oakleaf garland, framed oval medal, bearing the RAD symbol which was a spade with a swastika and two corn ears. The back of the medal bore the inscription "For faithful service in the Reich Labor Corps".

The medal was awarded in four different grades:

Upon receipt of a higher grade, the lower grade was removed.

The sample feratured in this page is silver and does not have any manufacturing marks.

WE BUY German German tinnies and related items - All types of WWII German tinnies and contribution. Whether they are military, Civilian, para-military, political, etc. The process gets started by you sending us an Email . We will respond to your inquiry normally within 24 hours and in many cases much faster. We can tell you what you have, what it is worth and how much we can pay you. One item or an entire collection - Email Us .

Collecting Third Reich RAD items
Collecting Third Reich memorabilia is a field that has been growing since the days the GI's rummaged around Europe bringing back military souvenirs. German soldiers wore many of their awards on their uniforms when they went to battle. Once the soldier was killed or captured, the American soldiers would take the awards as war trophies. Eventually all these pieces came back to the United States where military history enthusiasts began to collect them.

In trying to determine if you should collect WWII German RAD items there are certain factors that should be considered. The adjacent table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of collecting the RAD items.

This award is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the badge.