Adolf Hitler created the German Eagle Order on May 1, 1937, based on a personal request of Foreign Minister Dr. Meissner1). The creation of the order finally enabled the German Reich to honor foreigners. The order would be awarded through the Fuehrer through proposal of the foreign minister. ("Reichsgesetzblatt" 1937)

The order consisted initially of 5 grades, Grand Cross, Merit Cross with Star, Merit Cross 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade as well as a Merit Medal.

A unique Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens in Gold und Brillanten) was awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25 September 1937.

The Order was reorganized into nine classes on December 27, 1943, by adding the Grand Cross in Gold, the 1st class, and splitting the merit medal into a silver and bronze one. The classes of the actual order themselves got aligned within the new sequential structure from 1st to 5th, with the 5th being the old 3rd class.