Austria, Empire. A Leopold Order, Knight’s Cross With Swords, War Decoration, And Small Decoration, By Rothe, C.1916 certificate_of_authenticity He was posted to "C"

He was posted to "C" Company

worn and showing age

wearing the Order of the Rising Sun 4th Class Officer's badge on his left breast

while the upper left sleeve has a fine silvered aluminum wire two stripe Obergefreiter rank chevron sewn in place

reading “MERENTI” (Latin - Merit)

Austria, Empire. A Leopold Order, Knight’s Cross With Swords, War Decoration, And Small Decoration, By Rothe, C.1916 certificate_of_authenticity He was posted to "C"(Leopold Orden Ritterkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration, mit Kleiner Dekoration). Instituted on 8. 1. 1808. (Type III issued 1914 1918). A cross pattee constructed of bronze gilt with red and white enameled arms, the obverse with a central red enameled medallion, inscribed F. I. A for Franciscus Imperator Austriae, surrounded by a ring of white enamels, inscribed Integritati et Merito (Integrity and Merit), the reverse with a central white enameled medallion,