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The World War II German Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange in German) was a military decoration awarded by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was instituted on November 25, 1942, by Adolf Hitler. The badge was intended to recognize the achievements of German Army and Waffen-SS soldiers who had demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery in close combat.
To qualify for the Close Combat Clasp, soldiers had to participate in hand-to-hand combat or engage in close-quarter fighting with the enemy. The criteria included fighting in at least 15 days of close combat, taking part in at least three different engagements, and demonstrating specific acts of bravery. There were three levels of the badge, each indicating a higher degree of accomplishment: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
The Bronze class was awarded for 15 days of close combat, the Silver class for 30 days, and the Gold class for 50 days. The badge featured an oak leaf wreath surrounding a central design that included a crossed grenade and bayonet. It was worn on the uniform, typically on the left breast pocket.
