The Military Order of the Iron Trefoil, also known as the Croatian Cross, was the highest military decoration of the Independent State of Croatia. It was awarded for "acts of war, achieved by personal incentive, for efforts and good leadership in ventures, which had remarkable success against the enemy." The Order had four classes: the 1st Class is worn on a ribbon around the neck, 2nd Class without the ribbon on the left chest, 3rd Class on ribbon on buttonhole, and the 4th Class on triangular ribbon on left chest. For exceptional merits the Order was awarded with Oak Branches. The recipients of the 1st and 2nd Class had the right to the title "Vitez" (Knight). The Military Order of the Iron Trefoil was awarded rarely. The only holder of the 1st Class with Oak Branches was the Poglavnik Dr. Ante Pavelić, and the 1st Class order was awarded to only two high-ranking Croatian officers, one of them being NDH Vojskovođa and former Austro-Hungarian Colonel Slavko Kvaternik.

Holders of the Military Order of the Iron Trefoil

1st Class with Oak Branches

Only one holder:

1st Class

Seven holders:

2nd Class with Oak Branches

Five holders

2nd Class

Twelve holders:

3rd Class with Oak Branches

Fifty holders

3rd Class

Sixty-four holders:

4th Class with Oak Branches

256 holders, including Colonel Eduard Bunić and Mato Dukovac

4th Class

577 holders

Provision

Members of allied or friendly armed forces, who successfully fought to achieve independence of the Croatian State, or who later fought shoulder to shoulder with the Croatian detachments, may also be awarded with this Order. The ribbon is red with white edge on each side; the width of whole ribbon is 40mm and 6mm of white edge. Zagreb, 27 December 1941.