Until 1980 the Bundeswehr had no decorations of its own. In November of that year, Minister Apel created the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr, the badge of honor of the armed forces.
A decoration for bravery followed on 13 August 2008, when Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung created the Ehrenkreuz für Tapferkeit, the cross of honor for bravery. It is given for courageous, steadfast and patient conduct in exceptional danger to life and limb. By 2025 it had been awarded 33 times.