Cross of Liberty (Estonia)

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Cross of Liberty
Eesti Vabadusrist.jpg
Illustration of the three grades with each of the three classes
TypeThree grade order, of three classes each
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 Service
StatusNo longer awarded
EstablishedEstonian War of Independence
First awarded24 February 1919
Last awarded19 June 1925
Total3156[1]
EST Cross of Liberty Military Leadership.png
Cross of Liberty for Military Leadership, Grade I
EST Cross of Liberty Personal Courage.png
Cross of Liberty for Personal Courage, Grade II
EST Cross of Liberty Civilian Service.png
Cross of Liberty for Civilian Service, Grade III
Precedence
Next (higher)Highest
Next (lower)Order of the National Coat of Arms

The Cross of Liberty (Estonian: Vabadusrist) was a medal established by then Prime Minister of Estonia, Konstantin Päts, on 24 February 1919 to honor people for their services during the Estonian War of Independence and conferred in three grades, each in three classes. Grade I was for military leadership, Grade II for personal courage, and Grade III for civilian service. Grade and class is attached to the name of recipient in the form of post-nominal letters. The 1st class of II grade was never conferred. Bestowal of the Cross of Liberty was terminated on 19 June 1925.[2]

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

The War of Independence Victory Column in Tallinn, opened in 2009, is modelled after the Cross of Liberty.

Design[]

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

Notable recipients of the Cross of Liberty[]

References[]

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