1918 Napoleonic Wars: Prussian 1813Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 1st Class.   The Eiserne Kreuz (Iron Cross – often abbreviated EK or IC) was instituted on 10 March 1813 by the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III.  It was awarded for bravery in the field – without regard to rank – during the Befreiungskrieg (War of Liberation also called…