Cross of Liberty (Estonia)

The Estonian Cross of Liberty (Estonian: Vabadusrist) is a military decoration established by the Prime Minister of Estonia, Konstantin Päts, on 24 February 1919 to honor the people for their services during the Estonian War of Independence. The Estonian Cross of Liberty has three divisions, each in three classes. Division I was granted for military leadership, division II for personal courage and division III for civilian services. The division and class of the Estonian Cross of Liberty is usually added to the name of the recipient in the form of post-nominal letters. The 1st class of the II division of the Estonian Cross of Liberty was never granted. Although still mentioned in the list of Estonian state decorations by the president of the republic, the bestowal of the Estonian Cross of Liberty was terminated on 19 June 1925.[2]

Estonian Cross of Liberty
Illustration of the three divisions of the Estonian Cross of Liberty with each in three classes
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forRecognition for services during the Estonian War of Independence
Presented by Estonia
Post-nominalsVR I/1 VR I/2 VR I/3
Military Leadership
VR II/1 VR II/2 VR II/3
Personal Courage
VR III/1 VR III/2 VR III/3
Civilian Services
StatusNo longer awarded
EstablishedEstonian War of Independence
First awarded24 February 1919
Last awarded19 June 1925
Total3156[1]

Cross of Liberty for Military Leadership, Division I

Cross of Liberty for Personal Courage, Division II

Cross of Liberty for Civilian Service, Division III
Precedence
Next (higher)None
EquivalentOrder of the National Coat of Arms
Next (lower)Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana

The last surviving recipient of the Estonian Cross of Liberty was Karl Jaanus VR II/3, who died on 6 October 2000.

The Estonian War of Independence Victory Column in Tallinn, unveiled in 2009, is modelled according to the Estonian Cross of Liberty.

Design

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The designer of the Estonian Cross of Liberty was a famous Estonian artist Peet Aren. He used the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (hochmeister's) cross as the basis for the shape of the Estonian Cross of Liberty.[3]

Notable recipients of the Estonian Cross of Liberty

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References

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