The Order of the Red Eagle (German: Roter Adlerorden) was an order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Prussia. It was awarded to both military personnel and civilians, to recognize valor in combat, excellence in military leadership, long and faithful service to the kingdom, or other achievements. As with most German (and most other European) orders, the Order of the Red Eagle could only be awarded to commissioned officers or civilians of approximately equivalent status. However, there was a medal of the order, which could be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, lower ranking civil servants and other civilians.
The predecessor to Order of the Red Eagle was founded on November 17, 1705, by the Margrave Georg Wilhelm of Brandenburg-Bayreuth as the Ordre de la Sincerité. This soon fell into disuse but was revived in 1712 in Brandenburg-Bayreuth and again in 1734 in Brandenburg-Ansbach, where it first received the name "Order of the Brandenburg Red Eagle". The statutes were changed in 1777 and the Order named therein as the "Order of the Red Eagle". The Order was conferred in one class, limited to fifty knights.
The Kingdom of Prussia absorbed both Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Brandenburg-Ansbach in January, 1792, and on June 12, 1792, King Frederick William II again revived the order as a Prussian royal order. After the Order of the Black Eagle, the Red Eagle was the second highest order of the kingdom in order of precedence.
In 1810, King Frederick William III revised the statutes of the Order, expanding it into three classes. In 1830, a breast star was authorized for the Second Class and the First Class General Honor Decoration became the Fourth Class of the Order. The statutes were further revised in 1861, and a Grand Cross was established as the highest class of the Order. By change to the statutes of the Order of the Black Eagle, every member of that order was automatically invested with the new Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle, as well as with the Order of the Prussian Crown. By 1918, an affiliated soldier's medal had been made available to commoners and enlisted men.
The monarchy collapsed on November 9, 1918. Though Wilhelm II formally abdicated his personal claims to the throne on November 28, 1918, he admonished his former subjects to "render assistance to those in actual power" until the "re-establishment of order in the German Empire" (1923 Source Records of the Great War, Vol. VI, edited by Charles F. Horne). A new German constitution was signed into law, August 11, 1919, effectually putting a legal end to the monarchy. All orders and decorations formally conferred by the monarchy ceased to exist, but recipients of the Order of the Red Eagle continued to wear it with their other decorations during the eras of the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, and the restored republic.
By the time of World War I, the Order had evolved into six classes:
Grand Cross - enameled Maltese cross badge worn on a collar (the Kette, or "chain") at ceremonial occasions or, at other formal occasions, on a sash on the right shoulder; plus a gilt, eight-pointed breast star worn on the left chest; typically awarded to male members of the royal family, to members of the Order of the Black Eagle, to noblemen, and to foreign royalty1st Class - oversized, enameled cross pattée badge worn on a sash on the right shoulder, plus a silver, eight-pointed breast star on the left chest; available to general officers, high nobility, and heads of foreign state2nd Class - enameled cross pattée badge worn on a neck ribbon, plus a silver, four-pointed breast star on the left chest; available to general officers and nobility3rd Class - enameled cross pattée badge worn on a ribbon on the left chest; available to (usually no lower than) field grade officers and minor nobility4th Class - non-enameled cross pattée badge worn on a ribbon on the left chest; available to company grade officersMedal - round gilt medal worn on a ribbon on the left chest; available to enlisted menWithin these six classes, however, were a bewildering array of variations. Among these were:
All classes but the Medal of the Red Eagle Order could be awarded with swords for distinction in wartime. The swords passed through the arms of the cross behind the center medallion.All classes above the 4th Class could be awarded with "Swords on Ring", indicating that the recipient of that class without swords had earlier received a lower class of the order with swords. A pair of crossed swords were worn above the cross on the suspension ring or above the medallion on the upper arm of the breast star.All classes could be awarded with or without crown as an added distinction.The Grand Cross, 1st and 2nd Class could be awarded with oak leaves, indicating prior receipt of the next lower class of the order, and/or with diamonds, as a special distinction.Royal family members (who were automatically awarded the Grand Cross of the Red Eagle Order, per statute of the Order of the Black Eagle) were awarded the Grand Cross "with crown." The Maltese cross badge was suspended from a miniature of the Prussian crown, which covered the usual suspension ring.The Grand Cross was awarded at least once with crossed marshals' batons, as was awarded to Paul von Hindenburg. The crossed batons were worn above the Maltese cross badge of the Grand Cross, on its suspension ring.The 3rd Class could be awarded with bow (Schleife), indicating prior receipt of the 4th Class.Prussians who were Knights of the Order of St. John of Malta who received the Order of the Red Eagle and who had cared for sick and wounded soldiers in the German wars of unification received the order with a miniature of the badge of the Order of St. John of Malta.For 50 years of service, a Red Eagle recipient received the "Jubilee Number" (Jubiläumszahl), a round medallion with the number "50" on it, affixed to the suspension ring or to the oak leaves or the ring of the bow, if applicable.There were also a set of special versions, the Stars 1st through 4th Class, for non-Christians.
The badge of the Order for the Grand Cross was a gold (gilt after 1916) Maltese Cross enameled in white, with red enameled eagles between the arms of the cross; the gold central disc bore the Royal monogram, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing the motto of the Order, Sincere et Constanter.
The badge for the 1st to 3rd classes was a gold (gilt after 1916) cross pattée, enameled in white; that for the 4th class was similar but with smooth, plain silver arms. After 1879 the silver arms of the 4th class cross were pebbled in texture and appearance. The central disc bore the red eagle on a white enamel background on the obverse, with the royal cipher of King Friedrich Wilhelm surmounted by the Prussian crown on the reverse. The enlisted man's medal was of a relatively simple, round design, topped with the Prussian crown, with a depiction of the regular badge in the center of the medal on the obverse, with the royal cipher of the reigning monarch on the reverse.
The breast star of the Order was (for the Grand Cross) a golden eight-pointed star, (for 1st Class) a silver eight-pointed star, or (for 2nd Class) a silver four-pointed star with a white enameled cross pattée, all with straight rays. The central disc bore the red eagle on a white enamel background, surrounded by a ring (enameled blue for Grand Cross, white for the others) bearing the motto of the Order, Sincere et Constanter.
After 16 September 1848, awards of all classes (except the medal) bestowed for military merit had two golden swords crossed through the central medallion.
The traditional ribbon of the Order was white with two orange stripes at the edges, but combat awards were frequently conferred with a black and white ribbon similar to that of the Iron Cross. Numerous variations of the ribbon existed, depending on the nature of the specific award.
George William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (11/16/1678 – 12/18/1726), Sovereign of the Ordre de la Sincerité, from November 17, 1705; and from 1712 to 12/18/1726.Karl Wilhelm Friedrich, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach (5/12/1712 – 8/3/1757), revived the Order as its Sovereign, 1734 – August 3, 1757, renamed the order as the Order of the Red Eagle (Roter Adlerorden)Karl Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Bayreuth (2/24/1736 – 1/5/1806), Sovereign from August 3, 1757 to January 16, 1791, when the two territories were annexed by PrussiaFriedrich Wilhelm II, King of Prussia (9/25/1744 – 11/16/1797), revived the Order as its first Sovereign as a Prussian order, June 12, 1792 – 11/16/1797Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia (8/3/1770 – 6/7/1840), Sovereign from 11/16/1797 – 6/7/1840; revised the statutes in 1810 to add 2nd and 3rd classes; added 2nd class breast star and a 4th class, 1830Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia (10/15/1795 – 1/2/1861), Sovereign from 6/7/1840 to 1/2/1861Wilhelm I, King of Prussia and German Emperor (3/22/1797 – 3/9/1888), Sovereign from 1/2/1861 to 3/9/1888; revised the statutes to add the Grand Cross, 1861Friedrich III, King of Prussia and German Emperor (10/18/1831 – 6/15/1888), Sovereign from January to June 1888Wilhelm II, King of Prussia & German Emperor (1859–1941), invested 1/27/1869; Sovereign from June 15, 1888 to November 28, 1918.The following lists show a fair cross section of individuals who were known to be conferred with the Order in its several classes, in order of precedence. The Order of the Red Eagle was conferred frequently upon foreign nationals, both royal and non-royal, to honor their individual position or work and to further the diplomatic relations with their respective nations, in much that same way the Most Excellent and Honorable Order of Bath is still conferred, by the monarchy in Great Britain. The following is only a partial list and may expand over time, with further research.
Grand Cross (1861–1918)
German / Prussian
Empress Augusta (1811–1890), wife and empress consort of Kaiser Wilhelm IGFM Albrecht Theodore Emil, Graf von Roon (1803–1879) – previous 3rd Class Knight, automatically awarded the Grand Cross in conjunction with being awarded with the Order of the Black Eagle, ca 1866, for service during the war with Austria, immediately after his success at the battle of Nikolsburg.Otto Theodor Freiherr von Manteuffel (1805–1882), Prussian Minister of the Interior (Prime Minister), 1848; awarded the Grand Cross, with Scepter and Crown, by Friedrich Wilhelm IVPrince Heinrich of Prussia, second son of Friedrich III and brother of Wilhelm IIEmpress Augusta Viktoria (1858–1921), wife and empress consort of Kaiser Wilhelm IIOtto von Bismarck (1815–1898), German statesman, Prussian chancellor and prime minister of the German EmpireMax von Fabeck (1854–1916), with oakleaves, Prussian GeneralGen-Lt. Ferdinand graf von Zeppelin (1838–1917), aviator, inventor of the airship, and founder of Zeppelin Airship CompanyGFM (later Reichspräsident) Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934), invested with the Grand Cross, with Oak Leaves and SwordsGustav von Senden-Bibran (1847–1909) with oak leaves and swords, was an admiral of the German Imperial NavyGFM Helmuth von Moltke (the Elder), (1800–1891), Chief of the German General StaffCrown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Crown Prince of the German Empire (1882–1951), invested c. his 10th birthday, 1892Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia (1883–1942), second son of Kaiser Wilhelm IIPrince Adalbert of Prussia (1884–1948), third son of Kaiser Wilhelm IIPrince August Wilhelm of Prussia (1887–1949), fourth son of Kaiser Wilhelm IIPrince Oskar of Prussia (1888–1958), fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm IIBernhard Freiherr von Bülow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, conferred, January 6, 1898, for his successes in advancing relations with China.Prince Joachim of Prussia (1890–1920), sixth son of Kaiser Wilhelm IIDr. Karl Heinrich Schönstedt, Prussian Minister of Justice, invested with the Grand Cross of the Order on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday, January 27, 1900Ernst Frhr von Hammerstein-Loxten (1827–1914), Prussian Minister of Agriculture, conferred on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday, January 27, 1900Arthur Count von Posadowsky-Wehner (1845–1932), Prussian Minister of the Interior and Vice Chancellor, conferred on the occasion of Kairser Wilhelm II´s birthday, January 27, 1902Prince Friedrich Sigismund of Prussia (1891–1927), nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm II, pilot during the Great War, invested with the Grand Cross with CrownPaul von Breitenbach (1850–1930), German Statesman; invested with the Grand Cross of the Order, 1913, by statute of the Order of the Black EagleGroßadmiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1849–1930); conferred with the Order of the Red Eagle, Grand Cross, with Crown; also conferred with the Order of the Black EagleKorvettenkapitän Gerhard Stubenrauch (b. 1880) – previously awarded the Knight's Cross, 4th Class, Stubenrauch was the commander of all naval aviation in the Kaiserlich MarineForeign
George IV, King of Great Britain (1762–1830), invested 6/9/1814William IV, King of Great Britain (1765–1837), invested 6/9/1814Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, Prince Talleyrand (France)Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, Prince Metternich-Winnebourg-Ochsenhausen (German: Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein), Austrian Foreign Minister, 1809–1848Prince Andreas Rasoumoffsky (1752–1836), PC (Russia)Gustavus, Count de Stackelberg, PC (Russia)Karl, Count of Nesselrode (1780–1862), Privy Councilor (Russia)Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh & Saxe-Coburg_Gotha (1844–1900, GB), invested 5/7/1864Alexander III, Tsar of Russia (1845–1894)Gen Sir Dighton Probyn (1833–1924), VC, GCB – invested at GC / 1st Class (India / GB)Gen. Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny (1840–1914), (GB)Edward VII, King of Great Britain (1841–1910), invested 1/17/1869Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850–1942, GB), invested 1873Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853–1884, GB), invested 3/31/1879Prince Arthur of Connaught (1883–1938, GB), invested 1/13/1883Prince Itō Hirobumi (1841–1909), Prime Minister of Japan, received the GC 22/12/1886, later received the GC in brilliants 14/12/1901Nikolay Karlovich Giers (1820–1895), Russian Foreign Minister and architect of the Franco-Russian Alliance; Grand Cross (by statute of the Order of the Black Eagle), July 23, 1888Prince Alfred of Edinburgh (1874–1899, GB), invested June 1889George V, King of Great Britain (1865–1936), invested 7/3/1890Alexander, Duke of Fife (1849–1912, GB), invested 1892Gen.-Lt. Constantin von Alvensleben (1809–1892), invested with the Grand Cross, 1892, by statute of the Order of the Black EagleFM Archduke Friedrich of Austria-Hungary (1856–1936), GC / 1st Class (also held the Ord of the Black Eagle from October 22, 1892) – invested c. 1895The Guangxu Emperor (1871–1908), 11th Qing Emperor of China, invested 1898Porfirio Díaz, President of Mexico (1876–1880, 1884–1911)Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge (formerly Prince Adolphus Duke of Teck) (1868–1927, GB), invested 1903Haakon VII, King of Norway (1872–1957), invested 5/27/1907Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI - Nizam (sovereign prince) of Hyderabad, a principality in India; honorary (British and Indian) lieutenant general, invested 1911Albert I, King of the Belgians (1875–1934)LTG Rt. Hon Charles William Stewart, Lord Stewart (GB) British soldier, politician and nobleman, great-grandfather of Winston ChurchillMG Carl Löwenhielm, Count of Löwenhielm (Sweden / Norway)Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria-Hungary (1830–1916)Ludwig IV, Grand Duke of Hesse & by Rhine (1837–1892), son-in-law of Queen Victoria; brother-in-law of Friedrich III; uncle of Wilhelm IIGen der INF Otto von Bulow – Nov 15, 1917, by statute regarding conferral of the Order of the Black EagleErnst Ludwig, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine (1868–1937), grandson of Queen Victoria, husband of Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm II, invested with the Grand Cross or the 1st Class (?)General der Infanterie Friedrich Bertram Sixt von Armin (1851–1936), awarded the Grand Cross by statute of the Order of the Black Eagle, conferred, 1917Prince Leopold of Bavaria (1846–1930); Awarded the Grand Cross with Swords; also a member of the Order of the Black EaglePrince Franz of Bavaria (1875–1957); awarded the Grand Cross by statute of the Order of Black EagleNaser al-Din Shah (1831–1896), Shah of Persia (1848–1896)Mozaffar al-Din Shah (1853–1907), Shah of Persia (1896–1907)Pavlo Skoropadskyi, hetman of the Ukrainian State. Granted in 1918Marcos Antônio de Araújo, Viscount of Itajubá. Ambassador of Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil to the King of Hanover and King of Prussia.German
Wilhelm Frhr von Humboldt (1767–1835) (Prussia), German language scholar and statesmanKarl August, Prince of Hardenburg (1750–1822), Chancellor of State (Prussia), 1804–1806; 1807; and 1810–1822Ernst von Pfuel - Prussian general and Prime Minister of Prussia, awarded the 1st Class with Oak Leaves (1836) and Diamonds (1842). Previously awarded the 2nd Class with Oak Leaves (1830) and Star (1831); 3rd Class (1827)Ludwig von Massow, awarded the 1st Class with Oak LeavesLouis III, Grand Duke of Hesse (1806–1877), awarded the 1st Class with SwordsGrand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, awarded the Order, 1st Class, with Oak Leaves, on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday, January 27, 1900 (Source: New York Times)Dr. Studt, Minister of Public Instruction, awarded the Order, 1st Class, on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday, January 27, 1900Count Hochberg, awarded the Order, 1st Class, on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday, January 27, 1900Generalleutnant á la suite Viktor Adolph Theophil von Podbielski (1844–1916), hussar general, Prussian Minister of Agriculture, Postmaster General, and President of the German Olympic Committee; awarded 1st Class with oak leaves and crossed swords, on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II´s birthday January 27, 1902Theodor von Holleben, German Ambassador to the United States; awarded 1st Class with oak leaves after the visit of Prince Henry of Prussia to the US, March 1902.Baron Hermann Speck von Sternburg, Prussian Consul to Calcutta, German Ambassador to the United States, awarded the 1st Class, Jan 5, 1903Anton von Werner (1871–1914), awarded the Order, 1st Class, 1912; previously awarded the 2nd ClassGenObst Felix Graf von Bothmer of Bavaria (1852–1937), conferred with the Order, 1st Class, January 17, 1914Gen-Lt Philipp von Hellingrath of Bavaria (1862–1939), awarded the 1st Class with Swords, Nov 14, 1918; previously awarded the 2nd Class (7 Jun 1914)Foreign
Prince Talleyrand of France, Envoy of Emperor Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte) of the French, to Russia, 1807; conferred with both the Order of the Black Eagle and the Red Eagle, before 1807Prince Alexander Borisovich Kourakin of Russia, Envoy of Tsar Alexander I of Russia, to France, 1807; conferred with both the Black Eagle Order and Red Eagle Order, before 1807Prince Leopold of Belgium (future Leopold II), Duke of Brabant, awarded the Order, 1st ClassCount Maximilian van Lerchenfeld-Koefering, Chamberlain to the King of Bavaria, and envoy to the United States; conferred before 1845Giustino Fortunato (1777–1862), prime minister of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, conferred with the Red Eagle Order in 1850Lieutenant General Pierre-Dominique Bazaine (1786–1838) French mathematician and engineerAli Pasha of Tepelen and of Yannina, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, awarded the Order, 1st Class (for non-Christians), 1851Vicomte Vincent-Victor Henri de Vaublanc, Chamberlain to the King of Bavaria, October 21, 1856Kemal Effendi, Turkish Ambassador to Berlin, awarded the Order, 1st Class (for non-Christians), July 2, 1857Prince Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan (1850–1918), son of Naser al-Din Shah, King of Persia.President Paul Kruger (1825–1904), President of the Transvaal ( first award in 1884,elevated to First Class in 1896)Edward Villiers, 5th Earl of Clarendon (1846-1914), Lord-in-Waiting, in connection with the visit of Emperor Wilhelm II to the United Kingdom in late 1899.Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Marshall, Colonel of the 1st Royal Dragoons, in connection with the visit of Emperor Wilhelm II to the United Kingdom in late 1899.Liang Cheng (1864–1917), Chinese minister to Berlin, March 6, 1913German
Mayer Carl Frhr von Rothschild (1820–1886), King's Court-Banker for Frankfurt, awarded the 2nd Class (for non-Christians), August 14, 1857Dr. Albert Sigismund Jaspis (1809–1885), Generalsuperintendant of Pommern in Stettin, awarded the 2nd Class, with Bow, by Kaiser Wilhelm I, 1/18/1863Anton von Werner (1871–1914), court painter to the Prussian royal family; awarded the Order 2nd Class, Jan 20, 1895, and awarded the breast star of the 2nd Class, Mar 30, 1902Johann Heinrich Frhr von Bernstorff (1862–1939), Ambassador to the United States, conferred with the Order, 2nd Class, on December 24, 1909Gen der INF Otto von Below (1857–1944), awarded the Order, 2nd Class, with oak leaves and with breast star, bef. 1914Gen. der INF Karl Rttr von Fasbender of Bavaria (1852–1933), conferred with the Order, 2nd Class, with Crown, and with breast starGen der INF Paul Rttr von Kuenßl of Bavaria (1862–1928), awarded the 2nd Class with swords, 12 JUN 1915; previously awarded the 4th Class, pre-World War IGen-Lt Nikolaus Rttr von Endres of Bavaria (1862–1938), awarded the 2nd Class with swords24 AUG 1917; previously awarded the 3rd Class with swords, pre-World War IGen der Kav Ludwig Freiherr von Gebsattel of Bavaria (1857–1930), awarded the 2nd Class with breast star; previously awarded the 3rd Class with CrownGen-Lt (later Gen der KAV) Otto von Stetten of Bavaria (1862–1937); awarded the 2nd Class, prior to World War IGen-Lt ( and later Gen der ARTy) Hermann frhr von Stein (1859–1928); awarded the 2nd Class with swords & the 2nd Class breast star with swords, 20 JAN 1917; previously awarded the 3rd Class, prior to World War IGen-Maj ( later Gen-Lt) Ludwig Rttr von Tutschek of Bavaria (1864–1937); awarded the 2nd Class with Swords, 3 Feb 1917; previously awarded the 4th Class, prior to World War IGen-Lt (later Gen der INF) Hermann von Kuhl (1858–1956); awarded the 2nd Class with Oak Leaves and swords, and the 2nd Class breast star, 15 JAN 1916 & 12 JAN 1918Gen-Lt Wilhelm Gröner of Württemberg (1867–1939), awarded the 2nd Class with Crown & Swords, and with breast star, 15 Jun 1918; previously awarded the 2nd Class w/o breast star (16 AUG 1917), 3rd Class (19 JUL 1913), 4th Class with Crown (17 Sep 1909); & 4th Class (11 SEP 1907)Gen-Lt Constantin Wilhelm Albert Müller, awarded the breast star of the Order, 2nd Class, with Oak leaves and Swords, by Kaiser Wilhelm II, 10/23/1918; Previously awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and SwordsVice ADM Franz von Hipper (?), German hero of the Battle of the Jutland; awarded the Order, 2nd Class; previously awarded the 3rd Class with Bow and 4th Class with CrownVizeadmiral (Vice Admiral) and Admiral à la suite (honorary [full] Admiral) Bernhard Otto Curt von Prittwitz und Gaffron (1849–1922); veteran of the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War, closely linked with Großadmiral (Grand Admiral) Prince Heinrich of Prussia, his frequent predecessor in various naval command stations.Baron Guenther Heinrich von Berg (1765–1843) Statesman, Doctor of Law, Judge, Legislator. Invested 28 June 1820.Foreign
Mustafa-ed-din Bey, Turkish First Dragoman, awarded the 2nd Class (for non-Christians), September 14, 1855Mohammed Essad Safvet-Effendi, Turkish Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, awarded the 2nd Class (for non-Christians), September 14, 1855Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe of Great Britain (1859–1935), awarded the Order, 2nd Class, with swords, for actions in China during the Boxer Rebellion, where he served as a captain.Captain Edward Henry Bayly, Royal Navy, Captain of HMS Aurora, awarded the Order, 2nd class, with swords, for services in China during the Boxer Rebellion.Frederick J.V. Skiff, Field Museum of Chicago, Paris Exhibition (1900) organizer, and Director of Exhibits, St. Louis Exhibition (1906), awarded 2nd Class, Jan 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairJ.P. Morgan (1837–1913), American Banker, honored after giving an original letter from Martin Luther to Emperor Charles V back to Germany, June 26, 1911Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University, for building the exchange program between American and German professors, and winner of the 1931 Nobel Peace PrizeProfessor Hugo Münsterberg, Harvard Exchange Professor at Berlin, awarded the Order, 2nd Class, August 23, 1911James Speyer, American banker and president of the banking house Speyer & Company, awarded the 2nd Class, Jan 20, 1912His Princely Highness Pakubuwono X (1866–1939), the 10th Susuhunan, ruler of the past Surakarta (now in present Surakarta, Indonesia), awarded the Order, 2nd Class, with Star.Wilhelm Freiherr Lenk von Wolfsberg (1809–1894), Austrian Feldzeugmeister, owner of the Corps Artillery Regiment No. 4 and scientist, awarded the 2nd Class in 1861Maj-Gen the Hon Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley CB, CMG, DSO, MVO (1857–1934) of Great Britain's King's Royal Rifle Corps.Major (later Field Marshal) Albrecht von Roon (1803–1879) – awarded the Knights Cross, 3rd Class for actions and service during the Baden insurrection, 1848Oberst (Colonel) Louis Lust, commander of the Captain-Cadet School, awarded the Knight's Cross, 3rd Class, with Bow, by Kaiser Wilhelm I, 12/19/1878Captain Hans-Wilhelm von Dresky (later Rear Admiral) – awarded the Knight's Cross, 3rd Class, with swords and ribbon, for actions while in command of the cruiser SMS Habicht.Hermann von Wissmann, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords, September 3, 1894Oberst Friedrich von Scholl, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords, 1895Oberst Pavel, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords for actions in Cameroon, 1902Hauptmann (army Captain) Franke, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords, for actions in South West Africa (Namibia), 1904Käptain zur Sea (naval Captain) Pohl, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords for actions in East Asia, 1905Oberst (future Generalleutnant) Constantin Wilhelm Albert von Müller, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords for actions in Cameroon, 1905John Schroers, Chairman of Education and the Educational Congresses, and later Director of the St. Louis World's Fair, 1904–1906; awarded the 3rd Class, Feb 23, 1905, for work with the St. Louis World's FairOberstleutnant von Estorff, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords for actions in South West Africa, 1905Howard J. Rogers, Chief of the Department of Education & Social Economics, involved with St. Louis Exhibition (1906); awarded the 3rd Class, Jan. 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairOberst Constantin von Falkenhayn, commander of 5. Badisches Infantry-Regiment Nr 113, awarded the 3rd Class, with Bow, June 1913Georg, Crown Prince of Greece (Later King George II of Greece), awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords, 1913Gen der Art. Konrad Krafft von Dellmensingen of Bavaria (1862–1953); Received the Order, 3rd Class, before World War IGen der Kav Ludwig Freiherr von Gebsattel, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown; later awarded the 2nd Class with breast starOberst (later Gen-Maj) Hans Rttr von Hemmer of Bavaria (1869–1931); awarded 3rd Class with swords, 15 MAY 1915; previously awarded the 4th Class, pre-World War IR-Adm Franz von Hipper; awarded the 3rd Class with Crown, date unknownOberst (Colonel) Richard Franz Joseph Haegele, awarded the 3rd Class, with Bow and Swords (two times black, three white striped ribbon), 12/14/1916Oberst Scmidt, awarded the 3rd Class, with Bow and Swords (2 x black, 3 x white), 12/22/1917Rittmeister (cavalry Captain) Manfred Albrecht Frhr von Richthofen (1892–1918)also known as "The Red Baron", awarded the 3rd Class, with Crown & Swords, for earning an unprecedented 70th aerial victory as Germany's top fighter ace of the Great War, April 6, 1918. This was one of only two such awards during the Great War for someone of company grade rank.Oberst Klehmet, awarded the 3rd Class, with Bow and Swords (2 x black, 3 x white), 5/25/1918Oberstleutnant Maercker, awarded the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords for actions during the Great War, November 16, 1918Mathew Kiely, Chief of Police St. Louis, Missouri (1901–1906), received the Order 3rd Class for his department's commendable performance during the 1902 visit of Prince HenryLt.Col. E. H. Swayne, Somerset Light Infantry without swordsSevki Bey, District Governor of Aclun (Northern Syria, Ottoman Empire), awarded the 4th ClassDr. Ernst Freiherr von Bibra 1854 (1806 – 1878) was a German Naturalist (Natural history scientist) and author. Ernst was a botanist, zoologist, metallurgist, chemist, geographer, travel writer, novelist, duellist, art collector and trailblazer in ethnopsychopharmacology.Captain von Dresky (later Rear Admiral) – awarded the 4th Class, with swords, for actions at Miang while in command of the cruiser SMS HabichtPremierleutnant (First Lieutenant) Ernst von Prittwitz und Gaffron, awarded the 4th Class in 1864Leutnant Paul von Hindenburg (later GFM & Reichspräsident) – awarded the 4th Class, with swords, after actions against the Austrians at Königrätz, July 3, 1866Heinrich Johannes Halke, awarded the 4th Class, 1/18/1886Hauptmann (Captain) Constantin von Falkenhayn, awarded the 4th Class, for service in the Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40, January 1900Rittmeister Richard Franz Joseph Haegele, awarded the 4th Class, 10/21/1901, for service as commander of the East Asian Field Bakery in the Prussian Army; Later awarded the 4th Class with Swords, for actions in South West Africa (modern day Namibia)Rittmeister (later Generalmajor) Arthur Hay, prior-enlisted cavalry officer, May 12, 1901Adolf Werner (Artillery Officer), awarded the 4th Class, 1904Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856–1915), mechanical engineer; President of the American Society of mechanical Engineers, who is credited for innovations in management principles; awarded the 4th Class, Jan. 12, 1906, for work with St. Louis World's FairTarleton Hoffman Bean (1846–1916), first Curator of Fishes at the Smithsonian Institution; Director of the Forestry and Fisheries exhibit at the Paris Exhibition, 1900; Chief of the Departments of Fish, Game and Forestry, St. Louis World's Fair, 1902–05; awarded the 4th Class, Jan 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairJoseph Austin Holmes (1859–1915), geologist, and first director of the Bureau of Mines, credited with advances in mine safety, and for the slogan "Safety First"; Chief of Mines and Metallurgy at the St. Louis World's Fair, 1904–1906; awarded the 4th Class, Jan 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairF.D. Hirschberg, Chairman of Reception and Entertainment, St Louis World's Fair, 1904–1906; awarded the 4th Class, Jan 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairJohn H. McGibbons, Secretary of Awards for Division of Exhibitions, St. Louis World's Fair, 1904–1906; awarded the 4th Class, Jan 12, 1906, for work with the St. Louis World's FairCarl Friedrich Rohte, awarded the 4th Class, 8/22/1907, for service to the CrownGeneral Wilhelm Heye, awarded the 4th Class with swordsHermann Aleksander Eduard von Salza, Russian Navy, 1910Obst-Lt (later Gen der ARTy) Friedrich Frhr. Kreß von Kressenstein of Bavaria (1870–1948); awarded the 4th Class prior to World War IErnst Friederich Ludwig Scheyder, Amtsrat, presented with Red Eagle August 10, 1911, for dedicated service to the crownMaj. E.D.Bally, Somerset Light InfantryLt.Col. L.E.C.Worthington-Wilmer, Somerset Light InfantryLt.Col. Hon. George Henry Morris, Irish GuardsMusicmeister Jacob Peuppus, 2. Infanterie-Regiments Kronprinz; awarded November 16, 1900Feldwebel August Keller, 2. Infanterie-Regiments Kronprinz; awarded November 16, 1900Sergenten Maximilian Büchert, 2. Infanterie-Regiments Kronprinz; awarded November 16, 1900Wachtmeister Otto Grieszing, 1. Schwerin Reiter-Regiment Prinz Karl von Bayern; awarded November 16, 1900Matthias Kürmeher, 4. Infanterie-Regiments, König Wilhelm von Württemberg; awarded June 15, 1903Karl Lemnitz, 2. Fuß-Artillerie-Regiments, Königliche von Preußen; awarded June 15, 1903Fortunatus Klun, Hof-Saal-Kammerdiener, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Adolf Zimmerman, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Thomas Drozda, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Franz Fahnier, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Josef Kramlinger, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Josef Blaha, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903Georg Schögl, Hof-Saal-Türhüter, Saaldienst, Obersthofmeister Staab, Austria Hungary; awarded 1903
