Order of the German Eagle

(Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler)

instituted by Adolf Hitler on the 1st May 1937, the Order of the German Eagle (Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler) Eagle was a diplomatic and honorary award given to prominent foreigners, particularly diplomats, who were considered sympathetic to NSDAP.

In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a 'Special Degree' (Sonderstufe), 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.

Classes

From 1937 to 1943 the order was presented in six classes

Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with star (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)

Order of the German Eagle with Star (Deutscher Adlerorden mit Stern)

Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)

German Medal of Merit (Deutsche Verdienstmedaille)

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

On the 27th December 1943 the Order was reorganised into nine classes

Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star (Goldenes Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)

Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with Star (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)

Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 4th Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Vierte Stufe)

Order of the German Eagle 5th Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Fünfte Stufe)

Silver Medal of Merit (Silberne Verdienstmedaille)

Bronze Medal of Merit (Bronzene Verdienstmedaille)

In 1938, at a ceremony in Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford is presented with the 1st class Grand Cross Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star, on his 75th birthday. Henry Ford was the first American recipient of this award.

This was the highest honour Nazi Germany awarded to any foreigner and represented Adolf Hitler's personal admiration of and indebtedness to Henry Ford.

The presentation being made by Karl Kapp, German consul in Cleveland, and Fritz Heller, German consular representative in Detroit.

Awards

Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with Star - 1st Class

Order of the German eagle - 2nd Class

5th Class medal with Swords

Medal of Merit with Swords - Silver

Medal of Merit - Silver

State President of Finland, Risto Ryti, receiving the Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star from German Ambassador Wipert von Blücher

Receiving the Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star

Left: Hiroshi Oshima - Japanese Ambassador to Berlin. Right: Japanese Foreign Minister - Yosuke Matsuoka

Hiroshi Oshima with the Star to the Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in wear