Mannerheim Cross

Mannerheim Cross of Liberty
Mannerheim Cross 1st Class (above) and 2nd Class (below). Crossed batons indicate a second award of a 2nd class cross.
Type	Medal, two classes
Awarded for	"Exceptional bravery, for the achievement of crucially important objectives by combat, or for especially successfully conducted operations."
Presented by	Finland
Eligibility	Military personnel
Status	Still active de jure[1]
First awarded	July 22, 1941
Last awarded	May 7, 1945
Total	197
Total recipients	191

The Mannerheim Cross (Finnish: Mannerheim-risti, Swedish: Mannerheimkorset), officially Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty (Finnish: Vapaudenristin Mannerheim-risti, Swedish: Frihetskorsets Mannerheimkors) is the most distinguished Finnish military honour. A total of 191 people received the cross between 22 July 1941 and 7 May 1945, with six of the recipients receiving a cross twice. Available in two classes, the 1st class medal has only been awarded twice, with both recipients also having received the medal in the 2nd class. Although still active de jure, no crosses have been awarded since 1945. Tuomas Gerdt, the last living Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, died on 1 November 2020.