I think it is fair to say, that this is Germany's modern version of the famous Iron Cross, which comes in 7 grades today, and may even be something akin to a basic Knights Cross at the highest grade (?) --not sure about the KC comparison, as I'm not totally up to speed on all current German decorations.
14 Americans awarded the ''Gold Cross of Honor for Bravery'' by Germany.
http://www.military.com/news/article/ger...=army-a.nl
More about the Cross of Honor, with notes about recent German recipients of the top award.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badge_of_Ho...Bundeswehr
Another related article.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germ...01,00.html
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