Mannerheim Cross

Mannerheim Cross of Liberty

Mannerheim Cross 1st Class (above) and 2nd Class (below)
Awarded by Finland
Type Medal, two classes
Eligibility Military personnel
Awarded for "For extraordinary bravery, for the achievement of extraordinarily important objectives by combat, or for especially well conducted operations."
Status Still active de jure
Statistics
First awarded July 22, 1941
Last awarded May 7, 1945
Total awarded 197
Distinct
recipients		 191

The Mannerheim Cross of Liberty (Finnish: Mannerheim-risti, Swedish: Mannerheimkorset) is the most esteemed Finnish military decoration. The medal, inspired by the Old-Scandinavian Fylfot, was introduced after the Winter War and named after Field Marshal Gustaf Mannerheim. The decoration was awarded to soldiers for extraordinary bravery, for the achievement of extraordinarily important objectives by combat, or for especially well conducted operations.

History

The award was introduced into the Order of the Cross of Liberty and a bearer of the cross is called a Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. While the 1st class is the 5th and the 2nd class the 9th in the order of precedence of Finnish awards, the Mannerheim Cross 2nd class has become the most distinguished military award in Finland.

The Second Class of the award was instituted as the universal award for extraordinary bravery, for the achievement of extraordinarily important objectives by combat, or for especially well conducted operations. The Cross could be awarded to any soldier of the Finnish Defence Forces, regardless of rank. The lack of a rank requirement, the emphasis on individual bravery, and the prize of 50,000 marks to each recipient attracted considerable public attention to the award during the war. The first private to be awarded the cross was Vilho Rättö, for destroying four enemy tanks with an anti-tank gun taken from the enemy. In 1942, the prize sum was equivalent to a lieutenant's annual salary. As the Mannerheim Cross was awarded most often in the 2nd class, this is usually meant when referring to the Mannerheim Cross.

No special requirements differing from the Mannerheim Cross 2nd class were laid out for the Mannerheim Cross 1st class. It has been awarded only twice, to the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim and General of Infantry Erik Heinrichs. Mannerheim thought it was somewhat odd for him to carry a decoration that was named after him, but decided to receive the Cross from President of the Republic Risto Ryti after all the previous awardees had requested him to accept it.

Mannerheim Cross Second Class has been awarded to 191 persons, all during World War II. Four persons have been awarded it twice. De jure, the decoration is still active and can be awarded to any Finnish soldier, although it is highly unlikely that this would be done during peacetime or even in a minor conflict. (Decree 550/1946 on the Order of the Cross of Liberty)

Since the presidency of Martti Ahtisaari, all surviving recipients of the Mannerheim Cross have been invited to the Independence Day Reception, hosted by the president. By tradition they are also the first guests to enter.

Tuomas Gerdt (b. May 28, 1922) is the only Knight of the Mannerheim Cross alive.

Notable Knights of the Mannerheim Cross

Twice decorated

Both first and second class crosses:

Two second class crosses:

See also

Media related to Knights of the Mannerheim Cross at Wikimedia Commons

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