Established on 16 August 1915 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, it recognized civilian war service during World War I.

[1] The cross could also be awarded to military officers for their contributions to the war but were not directly involved in combat operations.

[1] A laurel wreath surrounds the center medallion, passing under the horizontal arms of the cross, and in front of the vertical arms.

The first through third classes had white enamel on the arms of the cross.

The center medallion, also enameled white, bears the Emperor's monogram FJI (Franz Joseph Imperator), surrounding the letters is the inscription "Merito Civili tempore belli MCMXV" (Civil merit in time of war 1915).