The Order of Merit of the German Eagle was a diplomatic and honorary award given to prominent foreigners, particularly diplomats, who were considered sympathetic to Nazism. In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a 'Special Degree', with identical insignia to the Grand Cross of the Order. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Constantin von Neurath, received the Special Degree of the Order, with a further award to Joachim von Ribbentrop on his appointment as Foreign Minister in 1938. In 1943 Dr. Wilhelm Frick received the Special Degree after becoming Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia.
Appearance and classes
The Cross is based on the Maltese Cross with German Eagles at each corner carrying a swastika. For military recipients the Order also featured crossed swords. The cross was suspended from a 46 mm red ribbon with stripes in black, red and white. The award, in the first two classes, also came in the form of a silver or gold eight pointed star, with corresponding white Maltese Cross and gold eagles centered. The overall appearance and name of the Order was an imitation of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, Order of the Red Eagle and Order of Saint John. From 1937 to 1943 the Order was presented in six classes:
Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with star
A unique Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds was also awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25 September 1937. On 27 December 1943 the Order was reorganised into nine classes:
Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star
Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with Star
Order of the German Eagle 1st Class
Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class
Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class
Order of the German Eagle 4th Class
Order of the German Eagle 5th Class
Silver Medal of Merit
Bronze Medal of Merit
Recipients
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds
Benito Mussolini
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold with Star
The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold was awarded at least fifteen times:
Swedish banker and industrial leader Jacob Wallenberg, awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle, Berlin 1941. Washington National Records Center, Suitland, Maryland; WNRC, RG 84, Stockholm Legation Confidential files 1946-1947, Box 4, American Legation, Stockholm, to Department of State, 1946-10-09.
Thomas J. Watson, chairman of IBM, 1937. Watson was also president of the International Chamber of Commerce in 1937; the medal was awarded while the ICC was meeting in Germany that year.
Ernest G. Liebold, Henry Ford's private secretary, was awarded Order of the German Eagle 1st Class in September 1938.
Ing. Ugo Conte, Rome Chief Engineer, was awarded Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class on 16 December 1938 for leading team in the construction of first German motorway.
Finnish leader of the Lotta Svärd organization Fanni Luukkonen was awarded the Order of the German Eagle with Star in 1943. She was the only non-German woman to receive the medal.
Carlos de Aymerich y Muñoz de Baena, Spanish officer, awarded 2nd class order June, 1, 1939.
