The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) published the order the same day.

It was bestowed by General Eduard Dietl, the commander of Army Group Narvik.

[2] Designed by Professor Dr. Richard Klein of Munich, the shield is narrow with a pointed base and, at its apex, has an eagle with down-swept wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika.

[4] In 1957, the Narvik Shield, along with many other German World War II military decorations, was reauthorized for wear by qualifying veterans.

The new version was re-designed to remove the Nazi eagle and swastika symbol from the top of the shield.