Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 certificate_of_authenticity Benson also held the rank

Benson also held the rank of Honorary Colonel in the 19th St

2mm(w) x 42

and listed as "dangerously ill" with Cerebro Spinal Meningitis

Bergedorf bei Hamburg

measures 45 mm (w) x 940 mm (l)

Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 certificate_of_authenticity Benson also held the rank(Militrverdienstkreuz I Klasse). Instituted 22 October 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. (1849 1918 issue; ca. 1935 reissue). Constructed of silver with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Patte, the obverse with finely detailed red and white enameled arms, with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised gilt inscription of VERDIENST (MERIT), within a red enameled ring, with a gilt laurel wreath set through the quadrants, the reverse