| Order of the Cross of the Eagle | |
|---|---|
 Star of the 1st Class of the order | |
| Type | Order granted in 5 classes with three affiliated crosses, in both civil and military divisions. |
| Awarded for | Military services and services in the field of national defence |
| Presented by |  Estonia |
| Eligibility | Civilians and military personnel |
| Established | 17 February 1928 13 September 1936 as a state order |
 1st Class
 Iron Cross Ribbon bars of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of the White Star |
| Equivalent | Order of the Estonian Red Cross |
The Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Estonian: Kotkaristi teenetemärk; French: Ordre de la Croix de l'Aigle) was instituted in 1928 by the Estonian Defence League to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Estonian independence. It was adopted as a state order in 1936.[1] The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is bestowed to give recognition for military services and services in the field of national defence. It is awarded in civil and military divisions. The awards made to members of the military are denoted by the addition of crossed swords to the decoration.[2]
- ^ Estonia: The Order of the Cross of the Eagle Archived 2012-09-26 at the Wayback Machine Medals of the World, Megan C. Robertson. 2008-08-23
- ^ Order of the Cross of the Eagle. President of the Republic of Estonia, State Decorations. Retrieved 2011-1-22