Return of Memel Commemorative Medal

Germany annexed the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory) from Lithuania on 22 March 1939 after an oral ultimatum. On 23 March an occupation of the city and district was carried out by German Army troops. This area of East Prussia, with 160,000 inhabitants, had been turned over to Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I. To commemorate the occupation the "Memel Medal" was authorized on 1 May 1939. It was awarded until 31 December 1940. In all 31,322 medals were awarded.

Design

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein. While the obverse was the exactly the same as the previous two medals, the reverse read "Zur Erinnerung an die Heimkerhr des Memellandes 22. März 1939" (To commemorate the return of the Memel District. 22 March 1939), surrounded by an oak leave wreath. The award was presented to all military, political and civil personnel who had distinguished themselves in actions related to the annexation of the district to Germany.

The medal was die struck in bronze and worn on the left tunic pocket suspended from a white ribbon with a green strip in the middle and two red strips on each side, the historic colors of Lithuania Minor.