[WilyPete]

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

It's amazing isn't it?

I was looking through the links you suggested there Jim, and found a medal I have had for some time now. It's the Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes mit Schwertern (Or a cross with swords).

It's possible that my medal could have been awarded to a member of the Kreigsmarine during training .

It's dated 1939, and here are some pics:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...n/DSC00268.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...n/DSC00269.jpg

If that is original (not saying it isn't but you might've bought a replica on purpose...some people do)...but if that is original...I am very envious. Very nice.

Oh and I found this: "
Kriegsverdienstkreuz

(The War Merit Cross) Similiar to the Iron Cross it was awarded to non-combattant achievments. For U-boat men mostly in the training flotillas."

So yes, it was awarded mainly in the training flotillas.