What is 10 Second War Stories?

10 Second War Stories brings military history to life through stories, veteran profile, force profiles, and equipment guides across all nations and conflicts.

Who was the medal named after?

This medal is named for Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. He was the top commander of the Finnish military during World War II. He helped start the award in 1940 to honor soldiers who showed great bravery.

Can private soldiers receive the Mannerheim Cross?

Yes, any member of the Finnish military can win this award. It does not matter if you are a high-ranking officer or a private soldier. The medal was designed to reward personal courage rather than your rank in the army.

What title did recipients receive?

People who earned this medal were given the title Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. This was a very special honor in Finland during the war. Each knight also received a cash prize of 50,000 Finnish marks for their heroic service.

How many classes of the medal exist?

There are two classes of this medal, which are called 1st Class and 2nd Class. The 2nd Class version was handed out much more often to brave soldiers. The 1st Class version was very rare and given out only twice during the entire war.

Are there any living recipients today?

No, there are no living winners of this medal left. The last surviving Knight of the Mannerheim Cross was named Tuomas Gerdt. He passed away in November 2020 at the age of 98.

Who was the medal named after?

This medal is named for Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. He was the top commander of the Finnish military during World War II. He helped start the award in 1940 to honor soldiers who showed great bravery.

Can private soldiers receive the Mannerheim Cross?

Yes, any member of the Finnish military can win this award. It does not matter if you are a high-ranking officer or a private soldier. The medal was designed to reward personal courage rather than your rank in the army.

What title did recipients receive?

People who earned this medal were given the title Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. This was a very special honor in Finland during the war. Each knight also received a cash prize of 50,000 Finnish marks for their heroic service.

How many classes of the medal exist?

There are two classes of this medal, which are called 1st Class and 2nd Class. The 2nd Class version was handed out much more often to brave soldiers. The 1st Class version was very rare and given out only twice during the entire war.

Are there any living recipients today?

No, there are no living winners of this medal left. The last surviving Knight of the Mannerheim Cross was named Tuomas Gerdt. He passed away in November 2020 at the age of 98.

Home Library FinlandMannerheim Cross (Finland)

Valor decoration

Mannerheim Cross (Finland)

The Mannerheim Cross is Finland's highest military award for extreme bravery and outstanding leadership during combat.

Finland Established 1940 All servicesPrecedence: Preeminent military honor within the Order of the Cross of Liberty

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for exceptional bravery, capturing crucially important combat objectives, or leading especially successful military operations.

Eligibility

Members of the Finnish Defence Forces of any military rank.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Preeminent military honor within the Order of the Cross of Liberty

Mannerheim Cross (Finland), Valor decoration, Finland medal

History

The Mannerheim Cross was established on December 16, 1940, right after the Winter War ended. Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim proposed the award, and it was created as a special part of Finland's Order of the Cross of Liberty. Unlike older awards that often depended on social status, it was designed so any Finnish soldier could earn it regardless of military rank.

The decoration was first given out in July 1941 during the Continuation War. It quickly became famous across Finland because it praised individual courage and came with a cash award of 50,000 Finnish marks. Anyone who earned the cross was proudly called a Knight of the Mannerheim Cross.

The cross was presented only during World War II, with the final medal awarded in May 1945. A total of 191 men received the honor, and six earned it twice. While Finnish law still allows the medal to be given out in wartime, no new crosses have been awarded since 1945.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

World War IIContinuation WarLapland War

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Larry Thorne, including Mannerheim Cross (Finland), Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, shown against a light Laos flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

Vietnam

Mannerheim Cross (Finland) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross+2

Larry Thorne

Who Was Larry Thorne, the Soldier Who Fought Under Three Flags?

Larry Thorne was a legendary soldier who fought against the Soviet Union in three different armies before becoming a U.S. Green Beret.

Finnish-AmericanOctober 18, 1965

Read Story

Sources

Back to Finland