WWI German Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross. German Empire, Grand Dutchy of Oldenburg, WWI – Friedrich August Cross 1st Class. Instituted September 24, 1914, by Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg, the Friedrich August Cross was awarded to all persons of military or civilian status, who have shown outstanding service during the war itself. It is constructed out of a die struck cupel base that has been black painted. The obverse features a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed “FA”, below the royal crown of Oldenburg (top arm) and above “1914″ (lower arm), which is on a black base with a laurel leaf wreath to the inside arms. The full back reverse displays, in tombak: a soldered-on block hinge, It measures 1 ¾ inches wide and tall.