The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest Prussian and Imperial German military decoration. Cast iron and stainless steel cross patte with crowned letter W for Kaiser Wilhelm I and date 1870. This order was awarded only twice, a century apart, to Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher in 1815 and to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918. The award is commonly known as Bluchers Star, or Blücherstern, after its first recipient. The 1870 version was devised, but never formally instituted or awarded. Historical Collectables And Relics, German Insignia, Awards And Medals.