The medal was awarded to Austria's military participants in World War I.

The medallion of the medal is round, 33 mm (1.3 in) wide, and made of Tombac.

The reverse of the medal bears the inscription 1914-1918 surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves around the edge.

[1][2] The medal is suspended from a 40 mm (1.6 in) triangular ribbon (dreiecksband) of white with two central red stripes 4 mm (0.16 in) wide and thin red stripes at the edges as well.

Combatants could wear crossed gilt swords on the ribbon.