Order of the German Eagle

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Service Order of the German Eagle (sample awarded to Charles Lindbergh)
Service Order of the German Eagle (sample awarded to Charles Lindbergh)

The Order of the German Eagle (German: Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler) was instituted in 1 May 1937 by Adolf Hitler. It was awarded with swords to military personnel and without swords to civilians.

The Cross is based on the Maltese Cross with German Eagles at each corner carrying the Swastika. The appearance and name of the Order was an imitation of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle and Order of the Red Eagle.

According to Gesetz über Titel since 1957 it has been illegal to wear the Cross of the German Eagle (or other Nazi swastika symbols) in Germany.

It has been illegal to display the swastika or SS Runes since World War II ended, but in 1957, a legislation was passed to allow certain de-nazified service medals and insignia to be worn by veterans and serving ex-Wehrmacht soldiers in the fledgeling Bundswehr of West Germany. The items have no swastikas and no SS runes allowed, most Third Reich political awards remain forbidden. The wearing of and displaying in public of, the swastika, SS runes, pr the displaying of any other Nazi symbols is still forbidden in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, etc.

Contents

[edit] Requirements

The Order of the German Eagle was a diplomatic and honorary award given to non-Germans who were considered deserving. At least two exceptions were made, Constantin von Neurath was awarded a Special Degree of the Order of the German Eagle 20 April 1939 and so was Joachim von Ribbentrop when he became Foreign Minister.

[edit] Classes

Several different classes existed, the following was used 1937-1943:

  1. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
  2. Order of the German Eagle with Star (Deutsche Adlerorden mit Stern)
  3. Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)
  4. Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)
  5. Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)
  6. German Medal of Merit (Deutsche Verdienst Medaille)

The classes was reorganised 27 December 1943:

  1. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold (Goldenes Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
  2. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
  3. Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)
  4. Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)
  5. Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)
  6. Order of the German Eagle 4th Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Vierte Stufe)
  7. Order of the German Eagle 5th Class (Deutsche Adlerorden, Fünfte Stufe)
  8. Silver Medal of Merit (Silberne Verdienstmedaille)
  9. Bronze Medal of Merit (Bronzene Verdienstmedaille)

[edit] Recipients

A special Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens in Gold und Brillanten) was awarded to Benito Mussolini 25 September 1937.

Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold

The Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold was awarded eight times:

Other classes

Number awarded unknown.

[edit] See also

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