East German Medals
DDR Awards • Volkspolizei Service • GST Training
Genuine state decorations from the German Democratic Republic — Interior Ministry service and merit medals in 15, 20 and 30-year grades, Nationale Volksarmee combat and reservist medals, and GST Ausbilder training awards, most issued complete with their original ribbon. Every piece is an authentic artifact of a Cold War state that ceased to exist in 1990 — finite, original, and never to be struck again.
East German Medals & DDR Decorations
Keep Shooting carries 11 genuine medals and awards from the German Democratic Republic — service and merit decorations from the Ministry of the Interior, combat and reservist medals from the Nationale Volksarmee, and instructor awards from the GST pre-military training society. They are original East German Army surplus state decorations, most still mounted on their issue ribbon, from a country that was dissolved on 3 October 1990 — which means no new examples will ever be struck.
Interior Ministry Service & Merit Medals
The Ministerium des Innern (MdI) — the East German Ministry of the Interior — commanded the Deutsche Volkspolizei (People’s Police) and the other armed organs of the state, and it maintained its own family of decorations for long service and distinguished performance. Our longevity awards recognize faithful service in those armed organs: the Gold 30-Year Service Medal marks three decades in uniform, while the Gold 20-Year Service Medal and Gold 15-Year Service Medal cover the shorter milestones — each issued complete with its original ribbon. For merit rather than tenure, we carry the full metal progression: the Gold Merit Medal, Silver Merit Medal, and Bronze Merit Medal, a graded set that makes a clean display together. Rounding out the MdI group, the Armed Forces Excellence Medal was awarded for distinguished performance within the ministry’s armed formations.
NVA Army Medals
From the Nationale Volksarmee — the East German National People’s Army that NATO rated as the best-trained force in the entire Warsaw Pact — we carry two enlisted decorations. The Bronze Combat Medal with Ribbon is a classic NVA award mounted on its issue ribbon, and the Bronze Reservist Medal recognized continued reserve service after a soldier’s active term. Both pair naturally with the uniform items, shoulder boards, and parade headgear in our wider East German collection.
GST Pre-Military Training Medals
The Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik (GST) — the “Society for Sport and Technology” — was the DDR’s mass-participation pre-military training organization, drilling East German youth in marksmanship, radio operation, parachuting, diving, and first aid before they entered NVA service. Its medal program honored the instructors (Ausbilder) who ran those programs, and we carry both grades: the GST Silver Ausbilder Medal and the GST Bronze Ausbilder Medal — original instructor decorations from an organization that no longer exists.
East German medals occupy a unique corner of the Cold War collectibles market: the DDR was dissolved in 1990, its state-decoration program ended with it, and the surviving supply only shrinks as pieces move into private collections. Every award here is a finite original — ideal for the Cold War historian, the militaria collector, or anyone building a DDR display. Browse the rest of our military collectibles and patches and insignia, explore surplus from other nations in our surplus by country collection, or shop the full military surplus store. Every order ships from our Pennsylvania warehouse with fast handling and hassle-free returns.
Frequently Asked Questions — East German Medals
Keep Shooting carries a wide selection of East German Medals products from trusted brands. Browse our catalog to see the full range, and use the filters on the left to narrow by brand, price, or product type.
Yes! All orders over $49.95 qualify for free shipping, including East German Medals products. Orders typically ship within 1–2 business days.
Keep Shooting offers hassle-free returns on East German Medals products. If you're not completely satisfied, contact our customer service team for a return authorization. All products must be in original, unused condition.
If you need help choosing the right East German Medals product, our team is available to assist. Check individual product descriptions for detailed specifications, or contact us directly and we'll help you find the best fit for your needs.