Award List - Romanian Order of Michael the Brave

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 03:20

I thought I’d start a new thread to consolidate all known German recipients of the Romanian Order of Michael the Brave in World War II. Here’s a brief overview of this prestigious order and a provisional list of known and suspected German recipients. Any and or all additions, corrections, deletions, etc. are highly welcomed!

Instituted by King Ferdinand I in 1916, the Romanian Order of Michael the Brave (Ordinul “Mihai Viteazul”) came in three classes:

1st Class: A large, pin-back cross in blue enamel worn on the left breast.
2nd Class: A similar cross surmounted by a gold royal crown worn as a neck decoration.
3rd Class: A similar, but smaller cross surmounted by a gold royal crown worn from a ribbon on the left breast.

During World War II, the order featured the “M” and “1” monograms of King Michael I surmounted by a royal crown in the center of the cross and the date "1941" in the lower arm. The ribbon was dark cherry-colored moiré with a golden stripe on each side. Although not applicable to German officers at that point, the addition of Swords was instituted on 8 October 1944 and the date "1944" was placed on the reverse of the order.

German Recipients of the Romanian Order of Michael the Brave:

General der Infanterie Rudolf von Bünau: 3rd Class
Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch: 1st Class
General der Infanterie Dietrich von Choltitz: 3rd Class
General der Infanterie Martin Gareis: Class unknown (3rd Class?)
Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring: 1st Class
General der Kavallerie Erik Hansen: Class unknown (3rd Class?)
Generaloberst Erwin Jaenecke: 3rd Class
Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel: Class unknown (1st Class?) – Awarded in October 1941 during his visit to Bucharest for the victory parade held to celebrate the capture of Odessa (see footnote, page 175, of Keitel’s memoirs).
General der Gebirgstruppe Rudolf Konrad: 3rd Class
Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Lewenski gennant von Manstein: 2nd Class?
General der Infanterie Friedrich Mieth: 3rd Class
Generalfeldmarschall Dr. Ing. Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen: Class unknown
Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt: 2nd Class?
Generaloberst Eugen Ritter von Schobert: Class unknown – Posthumously presented on 23 September 1941 by Prof. Michael Antonescu at the formal State ceremony in honor of Ritter von Schobert in München.
General der Gebirgstruppe Emil Vogel: 3rd Class

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 08:30

Hi!

Here are 2 pics of Manstein wearing what looks to be the 2nd Class of the Order.

Regards,

VJK

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 09:44

VJK,

Thanks! I've never seen the top one before!

Another one I just found for the list: General der Infanterie Otto Hitzfeld: 3rd Class.

Regards,
Shawn

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 10:06

Nice pic Shawn!

Here is Martin Gareis wearing the Order - you can make out the ribbon but the cross is barely visible.

Regards,

VJK

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 10:06

And yet another recipient:

Oberstleutnant Georg-Wilhelm Schöning: 3rd Class

Regards,
Shawn

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 10:10

Also Friedrich Mieth

Regards,

VJK

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 10:15

VJK,

Thanks for Gareis. It is indeed the 3rd Class!

Regards,
Shawn

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 10:15

And a pic of Erwin Jaenecke.

Regards,

VJK

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 10:21

Rudolf Konrad - unclear pic but it looks like the Order.

Regards,

VJK

Requin Marteau · Post by **Requin Marteau** » 01 Aug 2003 10:33

Generalleutnant Helmuth von Pannwitz recieved a Order of Michael the Brave 3rd Class.

Thierry

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 10:44

Pannwitz wearing the Order.

Regards,

VJK

VJK · Post by **VJK** » 01 Aug 2003 11:33

General der Infanterie Ludwig Wolff also received the Order - here it is in wear.

Regards,

VJK

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 01 Aug 2003 15:24

The order was instituted by Royal Decree No. 2968 of September 26, 1916. The award could be conferred only to officers for high bravery on the field or exceptional results in staff duties and execution
There were four official versions of the Mihai Viteazul Order:

-1916: the order had the design of a three foiled-cross made of gilt and covered with blue enamel, with King Ferdinand's cipher on the obverse and "1916" on the reverse (for the WWI type). The 2nd and the 3rd classes had the cross surmounted by the royal crown made of gold plated silver. The 3rd class cross was 20mm long, while for the 2nd class it had 28mm in length. The 3rd class cross was 40mm long and had to be worn on the left breast; the 2nd class was 60mm in length and was worn in commodore (on the neck, just like the Ritterkreuz) while the 1st class was also 60mm long and was worn like a brooch on the left.
The ribbon was made of dark cherry-colored moiré, 37mm wide, bordered by a 3mm golden stripe on each side
-1938:
It had two 57 mm swords added to the 1st and 2nd classes of the 1916 model and 38 mm swords to the 3rd class. Only a few were minted and none were awarded.
-1941:
It was instituted by Royal Decree no. 2787 on 8 October 1941. The cipher of Mihai I and the year 1941 were added on the cross: 1st class had from up to down: 1916, Ferdinand's cipher, Mihai's cipher and 1941. The 2nd and 3rd classes had on the front Mihai's cipher and 1941 and on the back Ferdinand's cipher and 1916.
-1944:
It was instituted by Royal Decree no. 1935 on 18 October 1944. The swords were added once again (same dimensions) and the title with swords was added to the name of the order. The 1st class had on the front the crown and Mihai's cipher. The 2nd and 3rd classes had on the front the crown and Mihai's cipher and on the back 1944.

German recipients of the Mihai Viteazu Order during WWII

1. gen. Eugen Ritter von Schobert: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2355 bis/22 August 1941 (CO of 11th Army)
2. lt. gen. Erik Hansen: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2355 bis/22 August 1941 (CO 54th Corps)
3. Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt: 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO Army Group South)
4. gen. Lohr: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO Luftflotte 4)
5. lt. gen. Speidel: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (chief of the Luftwaffe mission in Romania)
6. lt. gen. Kurt Pfugbeil: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO of Fliegerkorps ?)
7. col. Bassegne: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (chief of staff of the Luftwaffe mission)
8. General der Infanterie von Kortzfleisch: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 11th Corps)
9. General der Infanterie von Salmuth: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 30th Corps)
10. maj. gen. Wittke: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 170th ID)
11. lt. gen. Hans von Sponneck: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 42nd Corps)
12. lt. gen. Mazimilian Angelis: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 76th ID)
13. lt. gen. Mattenklett: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (?)
14. lt. gen. Karl Adolf Hoilidt: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 50th ID)
15. lt. gen. Roettig: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 198th ID)
16. gen. Neulig 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2628/19 September 1941 (CO 239th ID)
17. gen. Eugen Ritter von Schobert: 2nd class by Royal Decree no. 2786 bis/8 October 1941 (post mortem)
18. Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering: 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2868/14 October 1941
19. admiral Erich Raeder: 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2868/14 October 1941
20. Generalfeldmarschall Braucshitsch: 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2868/14 October 1941
21. Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel: 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2868/14 October 1941
22. gen. Franz Halder: 2nd and 3rd classes by Royal Decree no. 2868/14 October 1941
23. maj. gen. Arthur Hauffe: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2871/14 October 1941 (chief of the Heer mission in Romania)
24. lt. col. Hans Dohle: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 2886/17 October 1941 (post mortem; 362nd IR)
25. lt. gen. Hans Jeschonnek: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 3092/7 November 1941 (Luftwaffe chief of staff)
26. col. Otto Wohler: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 3231/21 November 1941
27. General der Infanterie Erich von Levinski von Manstein: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 3258/25 November 1941 (CO of11th Army)
28. 2nd lt. Alfons Gretz: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 445/12 February 1942 (post mortem; 10th Liaison Detachment)
29. lt. col. Hermann Freiher von Najels: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 445/12 February 1942 (post mortem; CO 10th Liaison Detachment)
30. 2nd lt. Wilhelm Sommer: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 445/12 February 1942 (post mortem; 10th Liaison Detachment)
31. maj. gen. Wolf Ludwig: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (CO 22nd ID)
32. maj. gen. Fritz Lindemann: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (CO 132nd ID)
33. col. Theodor Busse: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (chief of the Operations Section of the 11th Army)
34. col. Hans Speth: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (54th Corps)
35. col. Walter Botsch: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (30th Corps)
36. maj. Konrad Stephances: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (50th ID)
37. maj. Kurt Lachnitt: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (CO 56th AT Detachment)
38. cpt. Schneider: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (liaison officer to the 4th Mountain Division)
39. cpt. Hans Dieter Schiel: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (70th Pioneer Battalion)
40. lt. R. Hohl: 3rd class by Royal Decree no. 1362/8 May 1942 (97th IR)

I will continue the list later...

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 18:30

Victor,

What can I say except THANKS! I and others look forward to the rest of the list. Again, thank you for this superb roster!

Regards,
Shawn

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 01 Aug 2003 20:35

General der Kavallerie Erik Hansen displaying his Romanian Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd Class in a somewhat unconventional fashion from his tunic front. Although the blue cross is washed out in the shadows, you can see the gold royal crown peeking out next to and below his Knight’s Cross.

Regards,
Shawn