German Cross in Gold
Instituted in September 1941 and awarded for bravery on the battlefield. The criteria was similar to that of the Knight's Cross- why some troops received one or the other was sometimes a point of contention as the Ritterkreuz was more sought after. To receive the Cross in Gold, the soldier must have already earned both classes of the Iron Cross.
Cloth, hand-embroidered versions were offered by tailors- the official metal badge was somewhat heavy and tended to snag easily inside vehicles or aircraft.