The decoration was instituted by Grand Duke Ludwig II on 14 June 1840, that day being the birthday of his father Ludwig I, to be awarded for participation in a military campaign in the service of Grand Ducal Hesse, whether as a combatant or non-combatant (‘für Alle, welche in Großherzoglich Hessischen Diensten als streitender oder nichtstreitender Militär einen Feldzug mitgemacht’).