Mannerheim Cross

The Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty (Mannerheim-risti / Mannerheimkorset) is a Finnish military decoration introduced after the Winter War and named after Marshal Mannerheim. The award was introduced into the Order of the Cross of Liberty and a bearer of the cross is called a Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. While the 1st class is the 5th and the 2nd class the 9th in the order of precedence of Finnish awards, the Mannerheim Cross 2nd class has become the most distinguished military award in Finland.

People who were decorated twice

Both 1st and 2nd Class crosses

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• Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief - both on 7 October 1941
• Axel Erik Heinrichs, General of Infantry, army commander and Chief of General Staff - 2nd Class on 5 February 1942, 1st Class on 31 December 1944

Two 2nd Class crosses

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• Aaro Olavi Pajari, Major-General, infantry division commander - first on 14 September 1941, second on 16 October 1944
• Martti Johannes Aho, Colonel, infantry regiment commander - first on 1 March 1942, second on 16 October 1944
• Eino Ilmari Juutilainen, Warrant Officer, fighter pilot - first on 26 April 1942, second on 28 June 1944
• Hans Henrik Wind, Captain, fighter pilot - first on 31 July 1943, second on 28 June 1944