An award certificate, measuring 148x210mm, extremely fine condition with minor scuffing, some age-related discolouration, and two punched holes. The recipient is Staff Senior Sergeant PaulHerold. The document is dated to August 25, 1944 and signed in black ink by Rear Admiral and Coast Commander of the western Baltic Sea, Werner Stichling.
Footnote: Werner Stichling (1895–1979) joined the Imperial German Navy in 1914. Showing early promise, he was awarded both the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class during the First World War. In 1920, he was promoted to Senior Lieutenant, and from November 1920 to March 1924 served as Adjutant and Company Leader of Coast Guard Detachment III. Afterwards, Stichling served as Guard Officer on several ships for about two years, before being promoted to Captain Lieutenant and becoming Company Leader in the 5th Navy Artillery Detachment. A break in assignments followed, when between 1928 and 1932 Stichling taught at the Ship Artillery School. He resumed his service at sea, becoming an Artillery Officer on the light cruiser “Köln” where he was promoted to Corvette Captain in July 1933. In late 1934, Stichling was redeployed to the Navy High Command to develope navy artillery for the next four years. In late 1938, he became Commander of the 6th Navy Artillery Detachment in the rank of Frigate Captain. When the Second World War broke out, he had already been sent back into the field and was Commander of the island of Borkum in the rank of Captain. In 1940, Stichling became Sea Commander of Normandie and Chief of Staff of the Admiral of Northern France. Between December 1940 and August 1942, he commanded the light cruiser “Leipzig”, which took part in the fight for the islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa in the Baltic Sea. Because of his extensive knowledge and expertise when it came to artillery, he was made Sea Commander of Kirkenes (north east Norway), and then Coast Commander of the western Baltic Sea and Commander of the 1st Navy Flak Brigade.