Estonia Estonian medals awarded

[JPL]

Found this interesting news article:

The highest honorary decoration of the Ministry of Defence, the First Class of the Cross of Merit, was given to General Mark A. Welsh, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and the former Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Dr. Liam Fox, for their contribution in achieving indefinite Baltic air-policing.

The Third Class of the Cross of Merit was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Martin Herem, Head of the Northeast Defence District, for his long-term professional activity in supporting the national defence of the Republic of Estonia. The Third Class of the Cross of Merit was also awarded to Katri Raudsepp, Deputy Director of the Procurement Department at the Ministry of Defence, as recognition for her long-term contribution in developing the field of defence procurement.

The Ministry of Defence Distinguished Service Decoration (gold, silver) was also awarded to several diplomats, local government figures, officials of the Ministry of Defence, Members of the Defence Forces, Members of the National Defence League, employees at the Defence Resources Office, as well as members of medical committees, and co-operation partners.

The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was instituted on 24 February 1999 as an order that is comprised of three classes. The first class of the order is awarded for special services in the defence of the Republic of Estonia or for development and consolidation of Estonia’s national defence structures.

In 2004, the highest decoration of the Ministry of Defence was also bestowed on President Lennart Meri, Siim Kallas, Mart Laar, Jüri Luik, and Margus Kolga for their devoted contribution in the process of Estonia’s integration into NATO. In 2005, the first class of the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was awarded to Brigadier General Märt Tiru, in 2007 to Jürgen Ligi, former Minister of Defence, in 2009 to Lieutenant General Johannes Kert, in 2010 to Martin Hurt, Undersecretary for Defence Investments at the time, and in 2011 to General Ants Laaneots and Commander Senior Grade Lauri Tumm, Undersecretary for Defence Planning at the time. This award was also bestowed posthumously on former Minister of Defence Ülo Uluots.

Read the complete article: http://www.defpro.com/news/details/32703/?SID=80559744db997cb099ae2b64aa8cec41

Jean-Paul

[stanislaw]

Gentlemen

I am seeking a third class order of the black eagle from the 30s

any recommendations as to where i might go?

thanks

[misiu]

maybe at some estonian auction house.