List of Mannerheim Cross recipients explained

The Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty is the most distinguished Finnish military honour. Proposed by and named after Field Marshal Gustaf Mannerheim, it was introduced after the Winter War on 16 December 1940. The decoration was awarded to soldiers for exceptional bravery, for the achievement of crucially important objectives by combat, or for especially successfully conducted operations. Unlike other awards associated with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the awarding of the Mannerheim Cross was not influenced by the military rank of the recipient.

The cross is awarded as either Mannerheim Cross of Liberty 1st Class or as Mannerheim Cross of Liberty 2nd Class. No special requirements differing from 2nd class were laid out for the Mannerheim Cross 1st Class. A recipient of the cross is called "Knight of the Mannerheim Cross".

Although still active de jure, no crosses have been awarded since 1945. Tuomas Gerdt, the last living Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, died on 1 November 2020.

Recipients

The Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class has been awarded to 191 people. The first cross was awarded to Colonel Ruben Lagus on 22 July 1941. The first private to be awarded the cross was Vilho Rättö, who was awarded his cross on 3 August 1941 for destroying four enemy tanks with a sightless anti-tank gun taken from the enemy, by aiming the gun through its bore. The last cross was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel on 7 May 1945. A total of four persons have been awarded the Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class twice. These double-awardees were given a small clasp, consisting of two crossed marshal's batons, to be worn above the cross. The first recipient of the Mannerheim Cross 1st Class was its namesake, Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, who accepted it together with a Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class from President of the Republic Risto Ryti on 7 October 1941 after all the previous awardees had requested him to accept the award. The only other recipient of the Mannerheim Cross 1st Class is General of Infantry Erik Heinrichs, who received it on 31 December 1944, following an earlier Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class on 5 February 1942.

Demographics

The awardees were predominately young, with a mean age of 32 years and 72% of the awardees 35 or younger. The three youngest awardees were all aged 19. Only 8 of the recipients were 51 or older, with the oldest recipient being Mannerheim himself. A majority of the knights came from rural families, with only 46 having been born in cities. This is also reflected in the fact that 80 knights' fathers had been farmers. A further 24 had fathers who had worked as either for the railroad or as labourers, while 32 came from families of public servants.

The crosses were awarded primarily to personnel from the army, with 159 recipients in the infantry, 4 in artillery and 2 in engineering units. Seven crosses were awarded to navy personnel, of which two were received by people serving in coastal artillery. Finally, 19 awards were granted to air force personnel.The largest group among army awardees, at 74 people, were those serving as platoon, patrol or squad leaders or in other similar NCO roles. The second largest group were various commanders (from company to corps), who numbered 62. The army rank-and-file were awarded with 22 crosses, and various staff officers with 7 crosses.

Crosses were rarely awarded posthumously. Two people were awarded the cross on the day they were killed, and a further 8 receiving the cross posthumously.

A total of 25 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers and 3 other ranks who had received the cross were killed during the war. Of these 38, 28 were killed in action. Almost half, 12, of those killed in action died during the summer of 1944, with five knights dying during the Battle of Tali–Ihantala. A further three knights were killed during the Finno-German Lapland War, which followed the armistice between Finland and Soviet Union.

Both the first and the last recipient of the cross had a background in the Jaeger Movement. Members of the movement had traveled in secret to Germany in 1916 to receive military training, and returned to Finland at the onset of the Finnish Civil War. Of the 710 people with a jaeger background still working in tasks related to national defence, 20 were awarded with a cross. 115 knights also had a background in the White Guard.

The most distinguished unit was Infantry Regiment 7, the members of which received 11 crosses. A further three awardees had been part of the regiment at some point, but received their crosses after transferring to other units. Also distinguished was the 1st Jaeger Brigade (later Jaeger Brigade, Armoured Division), which had nine of its members receive the cross. Another over-represented group are those involved with long-range reconnaissance patrols, of whom 19 received a cross.

Denied proposals

A list of people who had been denied a Mannerheim cross by the General Headquarters disappeared from the military archives sometimes after early 1980s, but research by historians Hurmerinta and Viitanen indicates that at least 104 proposals were rejected at this final stage of the process.

In addition, there were plans to award medals for actions from the Winter War. To this end, some 483 names were submitted for consideration between the founding of the award and the start of the Continuation War, but this project was abandoned in April 1944 before any medals could be awarded. At the same time, a total of 19 of those who had been put forth to receive a cross for their actions in the Winter War were awarded for their actions in the Continuation War.

List of recipients

Image Name Rank Service data-sort-type=dateDate awarded !Unit Notes Refs
1 ColonelArmy22 July 19415th Division
2 Major generalArmy3 August 1941VI Corps
3 ColonelArmy3 August 194114th DivisionProposed second award on 13 August 1944, denied.
4 PrivateArmy3 August 1941Gun Company, Infantry Regiment 25
5 ColonelArmy16 August 19417th Division
6 Sergeant majorAir Force18 August 1941
7 LieutenantArmy29 August 1941III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 27Also proposed a Mannerheim Cross for actions in Winter War.
8 CorporalArmy1 September 1941Infantry Regiment 7
9 CaptainArmy8 September 1941III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 27
10 LieutenantArmy12 September 1941III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 54Olympic skier.
11 ColonelArmy14 September 19412nd Division
12 ColonelArmy14 September 194118th DivisionSecond award 16 October 1944, while leading the 3rd Division.
13 Private first classArmy16 September 1941Infantry Regiment 16
14 PrivateArmy26 September 1941Infantry Regiment 50
15 CorporalArmy26 September 1941Infantry Regiment 9
16 Second lieutenantArmy1 October 1941Infantry Regiment 2
17 Major generalArmy3 October 1941II Corps
18 Field marshall7 October 1941General HeadquartersBoth 1st and 2nd class awarded at the same time.
19 Colonel (medical)7 October 1941General Headquarters
20 SergeantArmy7 October 1941Infantry Regiment 3
21 ColonelArmy7 October 194111th Division
22 ColonelArmy12 October 194112th DivisionFirst proposal 28 September 1941, revised proposal 9 October 1941.
23 CorporalArmy12 October 1941Infantry Regiment 50
24 Private first classArmy12 October 1941Infantry Regiment 3
25 CorporalArmy16 October 1941Infantry Regiment 15Both original proposal and the official citation reference to Kosonen as a private.
26 Second lieutenantArmy16 October 1941Infantry Regiment 47
27 PrivateArmy19 October 1941Infantry Regiment 5
28 Second lieutenantArmy19 October 1941Light Section 14, 4th Division
29 LieutenantArmy19 October 1941Gun Company, Infantry Regiment 44
30 Lieutenant colonelArmy22 October 1941Uusimaa Dragoon RegimentFirst proposed a cross on 2 September 1941, revised proposal on 12 October 1941.
31 LieutenantArmy22 October 1941Infantry Regiment 12
32 SergeantArmy22 October 1941Infantry Regiment 12
33 Sergeant majorAir Force5 November 1941No. 44 SquadronFirst proposal on 13 August 1941 denied, instead awarded Order of Liberty 3rd Class. Revised proposal 23 October 1941.
34 CorporalArmy13 November 1941Jaeger Battalion 2, 1st Jaeger Brigade
35 CaptainArmy13 November 1941I Battalion, Infantry Regiment 43
36 CorporalArmy19 November 1941Jaeger Battalion 2, 1st Jaeger Brigade.Also proposed for 1st class medal 26 December 1941; revised proposal 14 January 1942, denied.
37 Private first classArmy19 November 1941Jaeger Battalion 3, 1st Jaeger Brigade
38 Private first classArmy19 November 1941Jaeger Battalion 4, 1st Jaeger Brigade
39 CorporalArmy19 November 1941Gun Company, 1st Jaeger Brigade
40 LieutenantArmy19 November 1941Armoured Battalion
41 PrivateArmy19 November 1941Jaeger Battalion 4, 1st Jaeger Brigade
42 SergeantArmy19 November 1941Armoured Battalion
43 Private first classArmy27 November 1941Infantry Regiment 26Killed in action 26 November 1941, after proposal was originally submitted; first awardee to be killed.
44 Sergeant first classArmy13 December 1941Detachment Kuismanen
45 ColonelArmy15 December 19416th DivisionOriginal proposal missing from archives, killed in action 18 December 1941.
46 MajorArmy14 January 19421st Jaeger Brigade
47 MajorArmy14 January 1942Jaeger Battalion 3, 1st Jaeger Brigade
48 General of the infantry5 February 1942General HeadquartersSubsequently, awarded a 1st class cross on 31 December 1944.
49 LieutenantArmy27 February 1942Detachment Marttina
50 LieutenantArmy27 February 1942Detachment Marttina
51 ColonelArmy1 March 1942Infantry Regiment 8
52 Lieutenant colonelArmy1 March 1942Infantry Regiment 50Awarded with another 2nd Class medal on 16 October 1944, while in command of Infantry Regiment 50.
53 CornetArmy20 April 19422nd Squadron, Häme Cavalry RegimentKilled in action 10 March 1943, after a cross was proposed but before it was awarded.
54 LieutenantAir Force26 April 19423rd Flight, No. 16 SquadronMissing-in-action 23 October 1944; last recipient to be killed in action.
55 LieutenantAir Force26 April 1942No. 44 Squadron
56 Sergeant majorAir Force26 April 1942No. 24 SquadronAwarded another 2nd class medal on 28 June 1944, when with No. 34 Fighter Squadron.
57 Sergeant first classArmy15 May 1942Infantry Regiment 25
58 Private first classArmy15 May 1942Infantry Regiment 8
59 CorporalArmy15 May 1942Infantry Regiment 13
60 Lieutenant colonelArmy15 May 1942Infantry Regiment 4First proposed 4 January 1942; revised proposal submitted 29 April 1942.
61 CaptainArmy19 May 1942Heavy Artillery Battalion 24
62 Private first classArmy19 May 1942Infantry Regiment 60
63 CaptainArmy19 May 1942Infantry Regiment 9
64 SergeantArmy19 May 1942Infantry Regiment 29
65 Staff sergeantArmy5 July 1942Infantry Regiment 22Original proposal 13 October 1941; revised proposal 17 May 1942.
66 Lieutenant colonelArmy5 July 1942Infantry Regiment 45
67 MajorArmy5 July 1942Group OinonenFrom 12 May 1942 at Onega Group Headquarters.
68 SergeantArmy5 July 1942Häme Cavalry Regiment
69 Second lieutenantAir Force5 July 1942No. 24 Fighter SquadronFirst proposed 19 January 1942; revised proposal submitted 13 June 1942.
70 Sergeant (medical)Army17 July 1942Infantry Regiment 37
71 LieutenantArmy17 July 1942I Battalion, Infantry Regiment 58
72 LieutenantArmy17 July 1942Infantry Regiment 33Later colonel of the US Army.
73 CaptainArmy21 July 1942Infantry Regiment 7Killed in action 21 July 1942, proposal submitted 23 July 1942, award backdated to date of death.
74 LieutenantArmy9 August 1942Infantry Regiment 30
75 LieutenantArmy9 August 1942Infantry Regiment 22
76 Second lieutenantArmy9 August 1942Infantry Regiment 5
77 Sergeant first classArmy9 August 19427th Company, Infantry Regiment 16
78 Private first classArmy9 August 1942Light Section 5, 3rd Division
79 LieutenantArmy19 August 1942Border Guard Battalion 6, 14th Division
80 Lieutenant colonelArmy 23 August 1942Infantry Regiment 30First proposed on 25 August 1941, denied; revised proposals 25 October 1941 and 21 May 1942.
81 LieutenantArmy23 August 1942Engineer Battalion 15
82 Sergeant first classArmy24 August 1942Border Jaeger Battalion 4Official citation incorrectly states date of award as 23 August 1942.
83 SergeantArmy23 August 1942Infantry Regiment 8
84 LieutenantArmy31 August 194217th Division
85 Second lieutenantArmy31 August 1942I Battalion, Infantry Regiment 4
86 Second lieutenantArmy31 August 194214th Company, Infantry Regiment 28
87 Staff sergeantArmy31 August 1942Detachment Vehniäinen, Intelligence Division, General Headquarters
88 Staff sergeantArmy31 August 1942Detachment Vehniäinen
89 CorporalArmy31 August 1942Jaeger Battalion 1, Cavalry Brigade
90 MajorAir Force8 September 1942No. 28 Fighter Squadron
91 CaptainArmy8 September 1942Infantry Regiment 9
92 CaptainAir Force8 September 1942No. 24 Squadron
93 LieutenantArmy8 September 1942Infantry Regiment 13
94 Second lieutenantArmy8 September 1942Infantry Regiment 12
95 SergeantArmy8 September 194212th Company, Infantry Regiment 7Last recipient alive, died 1 November 2022.
96 ColonelArmy18 October 1942Infantry Regiment 12Proposal for second award submitted 16 July 1944, denied.
97 ColonelArmy6 November 1942Infantry Regiment 35
98 CaptainAir Force6 November 1942No. 30 Squadron
99 Staff sergeantAir force6 November 1942Detachment HartikainenLong-range reconnaissance patrol leader under General HQ Intelligence. Proposed by Commander of Air Force, citation states unit as No. 14 Squadron.
100 SergeantArmy6 November 1942II Battalion, Infantry Regiment 53
101 CorporalArmy6 November 1942Light Artillery Battalion 11First proposal of 19 October 1941 denied by Mannerheim personally, instead awarded Cross of Liberty, 3rd Class. Revised proposal submitted 19 September 1942.
102 CorporalArmy6 November 1942Infantry Regiment 61
103 Major generalArmy12 December 19428th Division
104 Commander-captainNavy8 March 1943Minelayer Ruotsinsalmi, Light Naval Detachment
105 Captain lieutenantNavy8 March 1943Minelayer Riilahti, Light Naval Detachment
106 CaptainAir Force8 March 1943No. 6 Squadron
107 LieutenantArmy8 March 1943Infantry Regiment 10
108 Master chief petty officerNavy8 March 1943Motor Torpedo Boat SquadronFirst proposed 19 November 1941, revised proposal 20 November 1942.
109 Sergeant first classArmy8 February 1943Infantry Regiment 61Official citation incorrectly states date of award as 8 March 1943. First proposed 9 October 1941; revised proposal 20 November 1942.
110 Staff sergeantArmy10 February 1943Infantry Regiment 7First proposed 6 November 1941, revised proposal 7 December 1942.
111 Lieutenant senior gradeNavy4 June 1943Motor Torpedo Boat SquadronLater Commander of the Finnish Navy 1966–1974. Last knight to serve in the Finnish Defence Forces.
112 LieutenantArmy4 June 19433rd Division
113 Sergeant first classArmy4 June 1943Light Artillery Battalion 14
114 SergeantArmy4 June 1943Infantry Regiment 25
115 Private first classArmy4 March 194334th Gun Company, 4th DivisionProposal submitted 28 September 1941. Official citation incorrectly states date as 4 June 1943.
116 LieutenantAir Force31 July 1943No. 24 SquadronAwarded another 2nd Class medal on 28 June 1944.
117 MajorArmy1 August 1943Infantry Regiment 10
118 LieutenantArmy1 August 19433rd Division
119 Sergeant first classArmy1 August 1943Detachment Kuismanen
120 Staff sergeantArmy1 August 1943Detachment KuismanenFirst proposed 5 December 1942; revised proposal 27 June 1943
121 SergeantArmy1 August 1943Mortar Platoon, II Battalion, Infantry Regiment 25
122 Sergeant majorAir Force21 November 1943No. 44 Squadron
123 SergeantArmy21 November 19433rd Company, Armoured Brigade
124 Private first classArmy21 November 1943Infantry Regiment 7
125 PrivateArmy21 November 1943Infantry Regiment 7
126 Lieutenant colonelArmy16 January 1944Infantry Regiment 27 Killed in action 17 January 1944, with proposal submitted same date. Award backdated to date of death. Official citation does not mention death and only references actions from the Winter War and the first months of the Continuation War.
127 MajorAir Force18 June 1944No. 34 Fighter Squadron
128 Lieutenant colonelArmy19 June 1944Infantry Regiment 5
129 Lieutenant colonelAir Force26 June 1944Flying Regiment 3
130 Major generalArmy26 June 19442nd Division
131 Lieutenant generalArmy26 June 1944Headquarters of the Commander of the Isthmus Forces
132 CaptainArmy26 June 19441st Company, Assault Gun Battalion, Armoured Division
133 LieutenantArmy26 June 19441st Company, Assault Gun Battalion, Armoured Division
134 CorporalArmy27 June 19448th Gun Company, 3rd DivisionKilled in action 26 June 1944, posthumous proposal submitted same day. Award backdated to date of death.
135 MajorArmy27 June 1944Jaeger Battalion 4, Jaeger Brigade, Armoured Division
136 LieutenantArmy1 July 194424th Gun Company, 5th DivisionKilled in action 24 June 1944, award proposed posthumously.
137 MajorArmy4 July 1944Infantry Regiment 7
138 PrivateArmy4 July 194414th Company, Infantry Regiment 49
139 LieutenantArmy9 July 1944III Battalion, 3rd BrigadeFirst proposed a Mannerheim Cross on 16 July 1943, revised proposal resubmitted 29 June 1944.
140 Private first classArmy9 July 19441st Company, Infantry Regiment 49
141 CorporalArmy9 July 1944Detached Battalion 12Official citation incorrectly states rank as private first class (Finnish: korpraali|link=no).
142 Sergeant major Air Force9 July 1944No. 34 Fighter Squadron
143 MajorArmy9 July 1944Infantry Regiment 49
144 LieutenantArmy9 July 1944Jaeger Company, 1st DivisionFirst proposed 23 March 1944; revised proposal 8 July 1944. Later Hauptsturmführer of the SS and major of the US Army; died in Vietnam 1965.
145 Private first classArmy12 July 1944Border Jaeger Battalion 2Missing in action 26 June 1944, award proposed 7 July 1944.
146 Second lieutenantArmy12 July 1944Infantry Regiment 7First proposed October 1941. Revised proposal submitted 25 May 1944, amended 7 July 1944.
147 Staff sergeantArmy18 July 1944Infantry Regiment 30First proposed January 1942, revised proposals submitted 11 OCtober 1943 and 11 July 1944.)
148 Staff sergeantArmy18 July 1944Infantry Regiment 44Killed in action 15 July 1944; posthumous proposal submitted 17 July 1944.
149 LieutenantArmy20 July 1944Infantry Regiment 6
150 Staff sergeantArmy23 July 194424th Gun Company, 5th Division
151 CaptainArmy22 August 1944Detached Battalion 24
152 Lieutenant colonelNavy2 October 1944Coastal Artillery Regiment 12
153 Staff sergeantArmy2 October 1944Infantry Regiment 2
154 CorporalArmy2 October 1944Infantry Regiment 2
155 Private first classArmy2 October 194424th Gun Company, 5th Division
156 MajorArmy7 October 1944III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 11Killed in action 6 October 1944, award proposed following day.
157 Lieutenant colonelArmy16 October 1944Infantry Regiment 11
158 Lieutenant colonelArmy16 October 1944Infantry Regiment 53
159 Lieutenant general18 November 1944General Headquarters
160 Major generalArmy18 November 19445th Division
161 General of the infantry, minister of defence2 December 1944Ministry of DefenceSecond oldest knight after Mannerheim. Award proposed by previously awarded generals following a stroke on 27 November 1944. Official citation references no action or reason for the award.
162 ColonelArmy4 December 1944Infantry Regiment 7
163 ColonelArmy4 December 1944Infantry Regiment 61Later colonel of the US Army.
164 MajorArmy21 December 1944Detached Battalion 12
165 SergeantArmy21 December 19443rd Squadron, Häme Cavalry Regiment
166 SergeantArmy21 December 1944III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 49
167 SergeantArmy21 December 1944II Battalion, Infantry Regiment 7
168 CaptainAir Force21 December 1944No. 44 Bomber Squadron
169 Sergeant first classArmy21 December 194411th Company, Infantry Regiment 44
170 Sergeant first classAir Force21 December 1944No. 24 Fighter Squadron
171 LieutenantArmy21 December 19447th Company, III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 57Originally proposed 30 September 1943; revised proposal submitted 4 August 1944.
172 LieutenantArmy21 December 19441st Company, Jaeger Battalion 1, Cavalry BrigadeOriginally proposed 1941; revised proposal submitted 10 July 1944.
173 Staff sergeantArmy21 December 19449th Company, Infantry Regiment 4
174 Staff sergeantArmy21 December 194421st Brigade
175 CaptainAir Force21 December 1944No. 34 Fighter Squadron
176 Private first classArmy21 December 194432nd Gun Company, 10th Division
177 SergeantArmy21 December 194414th Company, Infantry Regiment 9
178 PrivateArmy21 December 1944Infantry Regiment 2
179 Private first classArmy21 December 1944I Battalion, Infantry Regiment 9
180 Private first classArmy21 December 1944I Battalion, Infantry Regiment 1
181 CorporalNavy21 December 1944Coastal Artillery Regiment 22, Coastal Brigade
182 LieutenantAir Force21 December 1944No. 44 Bomber Squadron
183 Lieutenant generalArmy21 December 1944III Corps
184 General of the artillery8 January 1945General Headquarters
185 MajorArmy10 February 1945II Battalion, Infantry Regiment 57
186 CaptainArmy10 February 1945Infantry Regiment 7
187 LieutenantArmy10 February 1945Border Jaeger Battalion 6, 14th Division
188 LieutenantArmy10 February 1945Infantry Regiment 25
189 Lieutenant senior gradeNavy10 February 1945Motor Torpedo Boat DetachmentFirst proposed 16 October 1943; revised proposal submitted 6 July 1944.
190 CaptainArmy10 February 19452nd Company, Infantry Regiment 9
191 Lieutenant colonelArmy7 May 1945Infantry Regiment 8Originally proposed 31 July 1941, instead promoted to lieutenant colonel and awarded Cross of Liberty, 1st Class; revised proposal received by General Headquarters on 13 April 1945.

References