TITLE "HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION"
The highest degree of distinction - the title “Hero of the Soviet Union” was established by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 16, 1934. On July 29, 1936, the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were approved by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, and by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1939 The “Gold Star” medal was established [For a description of the “Gold Star” medal, see the section “Medals of the USSR.”].
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 14, 1973, the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in a new edition were approved. This Regulation reads:
"1. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of distinction and is awarded for personal or collective services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed.
2. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
3. The Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded: the highest award of the USSR - the Order of Lenin; a sign of special distinction - the Gold Star medal; Certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
4. A Hero of the Soviet Union who has accomplished a second heroic feat, no less than that for which others who have accomplished a similar feat are awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, is awarded the Order of Lenin and a second Gold Star medal, and in commemoration of his exploits, a bronze bust of the Hero with the corresponding inscription installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the award.
5. A Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded two Gold Star medals, for new heroic deeds similar to those previously accomplished, may again be awarded the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.
6. When a Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal, he is presented with a certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR simultaneously with the order and medal.
7. If the Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, then in commemoration of his heroic and labor exploits, a bronze bust of the Hero with the appropriate inscription is built, installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the conferment of the title Hero of Socialist Labor.
8. Heroes of the Soviet Union enjoy benefits established by law...”
The establishment of the highest degree of distinction of the USSR - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union is associated with events that at one time attracted the attention of the whole world.
On July 12, 1933, an expedition set off from Leningrad on the steamship Chelyuskin with the goal of sailing the Northern Sea Route from Murmansk to the Bering Strait in one navigation. The expedition was headed by the outstanding scientist, communist O. Yu. Schmidt.
In September 1933, the Chelyuskin was trapped in ice. On February 13, 1934, crushed by ice, the ship sank. More than a hundred expedition members, including women and two infants, disembarked from the sinking ship onto the ice. In incredibly difficult conditions of the Arctic night, brave Soviet people lived and worked for two months.
The Soviet government took all measures to save them. It sent planes, icebreakers, and sleds to the area where Chelyuskin was lost. The organization of rescue work was led by a specially created government commission headed by V.V. Kuibyshev. A group of brave pilots, risking their lives, found the people in distress in the ice of the Chukchi Sea and delivered them to the mainland.
The government telegram sent to the pilots said: “We are delighted with your heroic work to save the Chelyuskinites. We are proud of your victory over the forces of nature. We are glad that you have justified the best hopes of the country and turned out to be worthy sons of our great Motherland...” And further it was said that the issue of establishing the highest degree of distinction - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and of assigning this title to hero pilots - is being decided.
On April 20, 1934, by a resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, for the first time the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the brave pilots M.V. Vodopyanov, I.V. Doronin, N.P. Kamanin, S.A. Levanevsky, A.V. Lyapidevsky, V. Molokov. S., Slepnev M. T.
Hero of the Soviet Union Lyapidevsky A.V. was awarded the Gold Star medal for No. 1..
In 1934, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the outstanding Soviet pilot M. M. Gromov, who completed a record non-stop flight of 12,411 km in 75 hours.
In 1936, the pilots Chkalov V., P., Baidukov G.F., Belyakov A.V., who made a non-stop flight from Moscow to the Far East, became Heroes of the Soviet Union.
In 1938, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to famous Soviet polar explorers I. D. Papanin, E. T. Krenkel, E. K. Fedorov, P. P. Shirshov, who for 274 days engaged in scientific research on a drifting ice floe in the area North Pole, and to the brave Soviet pilots V.S. Grizodubova, P.D. Osipenko, M.M. Raskova, who made a non-stop flight over a distance of 5908 km on the Rodina plane.
For heroic deeds, courage and bravery shown during the execution of combat missions of the command to defeat the Japanese invaders in the area of Lake Khasan in 1938 and in the area of the Khalkhin Gol River in 1939, as well as during the Finnish-Soviet conflict of 1939 - 1940, the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to many Soviet soldiers.
By the beginning of 1941, more than 600 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, five of them - military pilots S. I. Gritsevets, S. P. Denisov, G. P. Kravchenko, Ya. V. Smushkevich and the famous polar explorer Papa -nin P.D. were awarded the second Gold Star medal.
During the Great Patriotic War, the first to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were fighter pilots Zhukov M.P., Zdorovtsev S.I., Kharitonov P.T., who distinguished themselves in heavy air battles with enemy bombers rushing towards Leningrad. This high rank was awarded to them by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 8, 1941.
At present, it is impossible to establish who was the first in the Great Patriotic War to accomplish a heroic feat worthy of being awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. At various times, this highest degree of distinction was awarded to Soviet border guards who were the first to take battle on the borders" on June 22, 1941 - Lieutenant A.V. Lopatin, Sergeant I.D. Buzytskov, Junior Sergeant V.F. Mikhalkov, Lieutenant Ryzhikov A.V.; the military pilot Captain N. F. Gastello, who accomplished an immortal feat in the first days of the war; to the hero of the Brest Fortress, Major P. M. Gavrilov and others.
The famous military pilot Hero of the Soviet Union, Lieutenant Colonel Suprun S.P. By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 22, 1941, for heroism, courage and courage in air battles with superior enemy aviation forces, he was the first to be awarded the second Gold Star medal during the Great Patriotic War "
The heroism of Soviet soldiers who took part in the Great Patriotic War was highly appreciated by the Communist Party and the Soviet government. More than 11.5 thousand soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, of which 104 people were awarded two Gold Star medals, and Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov and military pilots I.N. Kozhedub and A.I. Pokryshkin - three Gold Star medals.
Among the Heroes of the Soviet Union awarded the second Gold Star medal for their services in the Great Patriotic War were the front commander, and then the commander-in-chief of the Far East troops, A.M. Vasilevsky, front commanders I.S. Konev, R.Ya. Malinovsky. , Rokossovsky K.K., Chernyakhovsky I.D., commander of the Air Force Novikov A.A., commanders of combined arms armies Batov P.I., Beloborodoe A.P., Krylov N.I., Chuikov V. I., commanders of tank armies Bogdanov S.I., Katukov M.E., Rybalko P.S., Kravchenko A.G., Lelyushenko D.D., commander of the air army Khrukni T.T., commanders of combined arms formations and units Artemenko S. E., Glazunov V. A., Goryushkin N. I., Ko-zak S. A., Koshevoy P. K., Rodimtsev A. I., Fesin I. I., commanders of tank formations and units Arkhipov V. S., Boyko I. P., Golovachev A. A., Gusakovsky I. I., Dragunsky D. A., Slyusarenko Z. K., Fomichev M. G., Khokhryakov S. V., Shurukhin P. I., Shutov S.F., Yakubovsky I.I., commander of the cavalry unit Pliev I.A., commanders of artillery units Petrov V.S., Shilin A.P., commanders of aviation units of the Navy Mazurenko A.E. ., Rakov V.I., Safonov B.F., Stepanyan N.G., Chelnokov N.V. and others.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 234 partisans, including the famous organizers and leaders of the partisan movement S. A. Kovpak and A. F. Fedorov, who were awarded two Gold Star medals.
In the post-war period, for outstanding services to the Motherland and the Soviet Armed Forces, Marshal of the Soviet Union G. K. Zhukov was awarded the fourth Gold Star medal, and Marshal of the Soviet Union S. M. Budyonny, awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1958, 1963 and 1968 was awarded the second and third Gold Star medals [The list of Heroes of the Soviet Union awarded four, three and two Gold Star medals is given in Appendix 3.].
In the post-war period, some Heroes of the Soviet Union for outstanding labor feats and services in building socialism in our country were awarded another highest degree of distinction of the USSR - the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. These two highest degrees of distinction of the Soviet state were awarded to comrades L. I. Brezhnev, K. E. Voroshilov, V. I. Golovchenko, K. P. Orlovsky and others.
In peaceful days, there is also a place for heroic deeds that glorify our Soviet Motherland. The family of Heroes of the Soviet Union included brave pioneers and space explorers - Yuri Gagarin, German Titov, Andriyan Nikolaev, Pavel Popovich, Valery Bykovsky, Valentina Tereshkova and others. Pilot-cosmonaut G. T. Beregovoy, awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the heroism, courage and bravery he showed during the Great Patriotic War, was awarded the second Gold Star medal for his services in space exploration. Also, for their services in the exploration of outer space, pilot-cosmonauts of the USSR were awarded the second Gold Star medal. Heroes of the Soviet Union Volkov V.P., Volynov B.V., Gorbatko V.V., Eliseev A.S., Klimuk P.I. ., Komarov V. M., Kubasov V. N., Leonov A. A., Nikolaev A. G., Popovich P. R., Rukavishnikov N. N., Sevastyanov V. I., Filipchenko A. V., Shatalov V. A.
By the beginning of 1977, 12,497 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, of which 136 people were awarded two Gold Star medals, 3 people were awarded three Gold Star medals and 1 person was awarded four Gold Star medals.
Among the Heroes of the Soviet Union there are 91 women; 24 of them received this high title for partisan activities.
More than 20 foreign citizens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Among the first foreigners to be awarded this rank were the Czechoslovakian serviceman Nadpo-ruchik Yarosh O.F., servicemen of the 1st Polish Infantry Division Lieutenant Sokhor A.A. and the rifleman of the company of machine gunners Kzhiwon A.T.
Noting the great merits of the Heroes of the Soviet Union to the socialist Motherland, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, by Decree of September 6, 1967, established a number of benefits for persons awarded this high title [The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 6, 1967 was supplemented by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR oh 30 Air 1975]. According to this Decree, Heroes of the Soviet Union have the right:
To establish personal pensions of union significance in relation to the conditions determined by the Regulations on personal pensions. This right is also enjoyed by the families of deceased Heroes of the Soviet Union, who were previously awarded a pension on other grounds;
To pay for the living space occupied by them and members of their families in the amount of 50 percent of the rent, calculated at the rates established for workers and employees;
When living in houses owned by them as personal property, a discount on the tax on buildings and land rent or on agricultural tax in the amount of 50 percent of the established rates;
Personal free travel once a year (round trip) by rail - in soft carriages
fast and passenger trains, water transport - in cabins I class (category I seats) of express and passenger lines, air or intercity road transport;
Personal free use of intracity transport (tram, bus, trolleybus, metro, water crossings), and in rural areas - buses of intradistrict lines;
To receive, upon the conclusion of the medical institution, an annual free voucher to a sanatorium or rest home [Issuing free vouchers to Heroes of the Soviet Union. is carried out at the place of their work (service), and for non-working pensioners - by the authorities that assigned the pension];
VA extraordinary service by entertainment and public utility enterprises, cultural and educational institutions;
For treatment at the place of residence in clinics and hospitals (hospitals) of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, depending on which of these ministries or the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR the Hero of the Soviet Union was on service [This applies to Heroes of the Soviet Union who are in service or retired.].
The heroes of the Soviet Union are examples of courage, bravery, devotion to duty, unparalleled devotion to their Motherland, loyalty to the cause of the great Lenin - the cause of communism, and are honored and respected by all our people.
TITLE "HERO OF SOCIALIST LABOR"
The highest degree of distinction - the title “Hero of Socialist Labor” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 27, 1938. The same Decree approved the Regulations on the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.
On May 22, 1940, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On additional insignia for Heroes of Socialist Labor”, the gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” was established [For a description of the gold medal “Sickle and Moloch”, see the section “Medals of the USSR”].
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 14, 1973, the Regulations on the title of Hero of Socialist Labor in a new edition were approved. This Regulation reads:
"1. The title of Hero of Socialist Labor is the highest degree of distinction for merits in the field of economic and socio-cultural construction.
2. The title of Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated labor heroism, who, through their particularly outstanding innovative activities, have made a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of social production, contributed to the rise of the national economy, science, culture, and the growth of the power and glory of the USSR.
3. The title of Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
4. The Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded: the highest award of the USSR - the Order of Lenin; a sign of special distinction - a gold medal "Hammer and Sickle"; Certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
5. The Hero of Socialist Labor for new outstanding achievements in the field of economic and socio-cultural construction, no less than those for which he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, is awarded the Order of Lenin and the second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” and in commemoration of his labor exploits, a a bronze bust of the Hero with the corresponding inscription, installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the award.
6. The Hero of Socialist Labor, awarded two gold medals “Hammer and Sickle”, for new outstanding achievements in the field of economic and socio-cultural construction, no less significant in significance than the previous ones, may again be awarded the Order of Lenin and the gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” .
7. When awarding the Hero of Socialist Labor the Order of Lenin and the gold medal “Hammer and Sickle”, he is awarded a certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR simultaneously with the order and medal.
8. If the Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, then in commemoration of his labor and heroic deeds, a bronze bust of the Hero with the appropriate inscription is built, installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
9. Heroes of Socialist Labor enjoy benefits established by law...”
The first Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on conferring the title of Hero of Socialist Labor took place on December 20, 1939. By this Decree, the title of Hero of Socialist Labor was awarded to Stalin I.V. With the establishment of the gold medal “Hammer and Sickle”, he was awarded this insignia for No. 1.
The second Hero of Socialist Labor in our country was the famous small arms designer V.A. Degtyarev. This title was awarded to him by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 2, 1940.
Among the first to receive the high title of Hero of Socialist Labor were aircraft designers N.P. Polikarpov, A.S. Yakovlev, small arms designer F.V. Tokarev, aircraft weapons designer B.G. Shpitalny, and artillery designers V.G. Grabin. , Krupchatnikov M. Ya., Ivanov I. I., designers of aircraft engines Mikulin A. A., Klimov V. Ya. (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 28, 1940), professor of TsAGI Chaplygin S. A. (Decree Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1941), designer of one of the models of jet weapons Kostikov A.G. (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 28, 1941).
During the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero of Socialist Labor was one of the first to be awarded to the People's Commissar of the Aviation Industry A. I. Shakhurin, his deputies P. V. Dementyev and P. A. Voronin, and the director of the aircraft plant A. T. Tretyakov (Decree Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated September 8, 1941), tank designer Kotin Zh. Ya., director of the Kirov plant in Leningrad Zaltsman I.M. (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated September 19, 1941) and aircraft designer Ilyushin S.V. (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 25, 1941).
After the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945, during the period of restoration of the destroyed national economy of our country and its further development, for outstanding labor successes, especially in the field of agriculture, some Heroes of Socialist Labor were awarded the second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle”.
The first Heroes of Socialist Labor, awarded the second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on June 17, 1950, were women cotton farmers Bagirova Basti Masim kyzy and Ga-sanova Shchamama Mahmudaly kyzy.
Soon, the second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” was awarded to cotton growers A. Annarov, Kh. Tursunkulov, A. Kaka-baev, I. Toiliev, tobacco grower P. P. Svanidze, chairman of the collective farm, which achieved high rates in the collection of cotton and rice harvests, Kim P., tea growers Kupuniya T. A., Ro-gava A. M., milkmaids of the Karavaevo state farm Barkova U. S., Grekhova E. I., Ivanova L. P., Nilova A. V. and others.
The second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” was also awarded to well-known tractor brigade leaders Angelsh-na P.N. and Gitalov A.V., collective farm chairmen Generalov F.S., Beshulya S.E., Burkatskaya G.E., Dubkovetsky F. I., Ismailov K., Urunkhodzhaev S., Ovezov B., Ersaryev O., noble collective farmers and collective farmers - masters of high yields Vishtak S. D., Diptan O. K., Kayoazarova S m Blazhevsky E. V., Bryntseva M.A., famous combine operators Gontar D.I., Bai-da G.I., Braga M.A., karakul breeders Kuanyshbaev Zh. and Balimanov D., foreman of winegrowers Knyazeva M.D. and others.
In industry, the second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” was awarded to the construction manager of the Volgograd hydroelectric complex A.P. Aleksandrov, the site manager of the coal mine I.I. Bridko, the famous electric welder A.A. Ulesov and others.
The second gold medal “Hammer and Sickle” was awarded to prominent party and government figures, as well as outstanding Soviet scientists. Among them are comrades Kosygin A. N., Kirilenko A. P., Kunaev D. A., Suslov M. A., Ustinov D. F., academician Korolev S. P., honorary academician of VASKhNIL Yuriev V. Ya., full member of the All-Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, breeder V. S. Pustovoit, famous aircraft designers A. I. Mikoyan, A. S. Yakovlev, P. O. Sukhoi and others.
In total, by the beginning of 1977, in our country the high title of Hero of Socialist Labor was awarded to 18,287 Soviet citizens, of which over a hundred people were awarded two medals “Chamois and Hammer”.
For outstanding services to the state in the field of science and technology, in the management of certain industries, a number of prominent Soviet scientists and production organizers were awarded three gold “Hammer and Sickle” medals. Among them are academicians Kurchatov I.V., Keldysh M.V., Aleksandrov A.P., Zeldovich Ya.B., Shchelkin K.I., one of the organizers of the defense industry of the USSR Vannikov B.L., aircraft designers Tupolev A. P., Ilyushin S.V. and others. The distinguished chairman of the cotton-growing collective farm, Kham-rakul Tursunkulov, was awarded three “Hammer and Sickle” gold medals.
For great services to our socialist Motherland, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated September 6, 1967 established a number of benefits for Heroes of Socialist Labor.
In accordance with this Decree, Heroes of Socialist Labor have the right:
To establish personal pensions of union significance in relation to the conditions determined by the Regulations on personal pensions. This right is also enjoyed by the families of deceased Heroes of Socialist Labor, who were previously awarded a pension on other grounds;
To provide living space according to established standards in the first place;
To pay for the living space occupied by them and members of their families in the amount of 50 percent of the rent, calculated at the rates established for workers and employees;
When living in houses owned by them as personal property, a discount on the tax on buildings and land rent or agricultural tax in the amount of 50 percent of the established rates;
To pay for the additional space they occupy, up to 15 square meters. meters in single size;
Personal free travel once a year (round trip) by rail - in soft carriages of fast and passenger trains, by water - in first class cabins (I category seats) of fast and passenger lines, by air or intercity road transport;
Personal free use of intracity transport (tram, bus, trolleybus, metro, water crossings), and in rural areas - buses of intradistrict lines;
To receive, upon the conclusion of the medical institution, an annual free voucher to a sanatorium or rest home [Issuance of free vouchers to Heroes of Socialist Labor is carried out at the place of their work (service), and to non-working pensioners - by the authorities that assigned the pension];
For extraordinary service by entertainment and public utility enterprises, cultural and educational institutions.
The Heroes of Socialist Labor are examples of labor dedication and heroism, devotion to their Motherland, to the cause of building a communist society in the USSR and enjoy the honor and respect of the Soviet people.
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The highest degree of distinction - the title “Hero of the Soviet Union” was established by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 16, 1934. On July 29, 1936, the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were approved by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, and by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1939 The “Gold Star” medal was established [For a description of the “Gold Star” medal, see the section “Medals of the USSR.”].
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 14, 1973, the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in a new edition were approved. This Regulation reads:
"1. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of distinction and is awarded for personal or collective services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed.
2. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
3. The Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded: the highest award of the USSR - the Order of Lenin; a sign of special distinction - the Gold Star medal; Certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
4. A Hero of the Soviet Union who has accomplished a second heroic feat, no less than that for which others who have accomplished a similar feat are awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, is awarded the Order of Lenin and a second Gold Star medal, and in commemoration of his exploits, a bronze bust of the Hero with the corresponding inscription installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the award.
5. A Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded two Gold Star medals, for new heroic deeds similar to those previously accomplished, may again be awarded the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.
6. When a Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal, he is presented with a certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR simultaneously with the order and medal.
7. If the Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, then in commemoration of his heroic and labor exploits, a bronze bust of the Hero with the appropriate inscription is built, installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the conferment of the title Hero of Socialist Labor.
8. Heroes of the Soviet Union enjoy benefits established by law...”
The establishment of the highest degree of distinction of the USSR - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union is associated with events that at one time attracted the attention of the whole world.
On July 12, 1933, an expedition set off from Leningrad on the steamship Chelyuskin with the goal of sailing the Northern Sea Route from Murmansk to the Bering Strait in one navigation. The expedition was headed by the outstanding scientist, communist O. Yu. Schmidt.
In September 1933, the Chelyuskin was trapped in ice. On February 13, 1934, crushed by ice, the ship sank. More than a hundred expedition members, including women and two infants, disembarked from the sinking ship onto the ice. In incredibly difficult conditions of the Arctic night, brave Soviet people lived and worked for two months.
The Soviet government took all measures to save them. It sent planes, icebreakers, and sleds to the area where Chelyuskin was lost. The organization of rescue work was led by a specially created government commission headed by V.V. Kuibyshev. A group of brave pilots, risking their lives, found the people in distress in the ice of the Chukchi Sea and delivered them to the mainland.
The government telegram sent to the pilots said: “We are delighted with your heroic work to save the Chelyuskinites. We are proud of your victory over the forces of nature. We are glad that you have justified the best hopes of the country and turned out to be worthy sons of our great Motherland...” And further it was said that the issue of establishing the highest degree of distinction - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and of assigning this title to hero pilots - is being decided.
On April 20, 1934, by a resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, for the first time the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the brave pilots M.V. Vodopyanov, I.V. Doronin, N.P. Kamanin, S.A. Levanevsky, A.V. Lyapidevsky, V. Molokov. S., Slepnev M. T.
Hero of the Soviet Union Lyapidevsky A.V. was awarded the Gold Star medal for No. 1..
In 1934, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the outstanding Soviet pilot M. M. Gromov, who completed a record non-stop flight of 12,411 km in 75 hours.
In 1936, the pilots Chkalov V., P., Baidukov G.F., Belyakov A.V., who made a non-stop flight from Moscow to the Far East, became Heroes of the Soviet Union.
In 1938, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to famous Soviet polar explorers I. D. Papanin, E. T. Krenkel, E. K. Fedorov, P. P. Shirshov, who for 274 days engaged in scientific research on a drifting ice floe in the area North Pole, and to the brave Soviet pilots V.S. Grizodubova, P.D. Osipenko, M.M. Raskova, who made a non-stop flight over a distance of 5908 km on the Rodina plane.
For heroic deeds, courage and bravery shown during the execution of combat missions of the command to defeat the Japanese invaders in the area of Lake Khasan in 1938 and in the area of the Khalkhin Gol River in 1939, as well as during the Finnish-Soviet conflict of 1939 - 1940, the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to many Soviet soldiers.
By the beginning of 1941, more than 600 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, five of them - military pilots S. I. Gritsevets, S. P. Denisov, G. P. Kravchenko, Ya. V. Smushkevich and the famous polar explorer Papa -nin P.D. were awarded the second Gold Star medal.
During the Great Patriotic War, the first to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were fighter pilots Zhukov M.P., Zdorovtsev S.I., Kharitonov P.T., who distinguished themselves in heavy air battles with enemy bombers rushing towards Leningrad. This high rank was awarded to them by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 8, 1941.
At present, it is impossible to establish who was the first in the Great Patriotic War to accomplish a heroic feat worthy of being awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. At various times, this highest degree of distinction was awarded to Soviet border guards who were the first to take battle on the borders" on June 22, 1941 - Lieutenant A.V. Lopatin, Sergeant I.D. Buzytskov, Junior Sergeant V.F. Mikhalkov, Lieutenant Ryzhikov A.V.; the military pilot Captain N. F. Gastello, who accomplished an immortal feat in the first days of the war; to the hero of the Brest Fortress, Major P. M. Gavrilov and others.
The famous military pilot Hero of the Soviet Union, Lieutenant Colonel Suprun S.P. By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 22, 1941, for heroism, courage and courage in air battles with superior enemy aviation forces, he was the first to be awarded the second Gold Star medal during the Great Patriotic War "
The heroism of Soviet soldiers who took part in the Great Patriotic War was highly appreciated by the Communist Party and the Soviet government. More than 11.5 thousand soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, of which 104 people were awarded two Gold Star medals, and Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov and military pilots I.N. Kozhedub and A.I. Pokryshkin - three Gold Star medals.
Among the Heroes of the Soviet Union awarded the second Gold Star medal for their services in the Great Patriotic War were the front commander, and then the commander-in-chief of the Far East troops, A.M. Vasilevsky, front commanders I.S. Konev, R.Ya. Malinovsky. , Rokossovsky K.K., Chernyakhovsky I.D., commander of the Air Force Novikov A.A., commanders of combined arms armies Batov P.I., Beloborodoe A.P., Krylov N.I., Chuikov V. I., commanders of tank armies Bogdanov S.I., Katukov M.E., Rybalko P.S., Kravchenko A.G., Lelyushenko D.D., commander of the air army Khrukni T.T., commanders of combined arms formations and units Artemenko S. E., Glazunov V. A., Goryushkin N. I., Ko-zak S. A., Koshevoy P. K., Rodimtsev A. I., Fesin I. I., commanders of tank formations and units Arkhipov V. S., Boyko I. P., Golovachev A. A., Gusakovsky I. I., Dragunsky D. A., Slyusarenko Z. K., Fomichev M. G., Khokhryakov S. V., Shurukhin P. I., Shutov S.F., Yakubovsky I.I., commander of the cavalry unit Pliev I.A., commanders of artillery units Petrov V.S., Shilin A.P., commanders of aviation units of the Navy Mazurenko A.E. ., Rakov V.I., Safonov B.F., Stepanyan N.G., Chelnokov N.V. and others.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 234 partisans, including the famous organizers and leaders of the partisan movement S. A. Kovpak and A. F. Fedorov, who were awarded two Gold Star medals.
In the post-war period, for outstanding services to the Motherland and the Soviet Armed Forces, Marshal of the Soviet Union G. K. Zhukov was awarded the fourth Gold Star medal, and Marshal of the Soviet Union S. M. Budyonny, awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1958, 1963 and 1968 was awarded the second and third Gold Star medals [The list of Heroes of the Soviet Union awarded four, three and two Gold Star medals is given in Appendix 3.].
In the post-war period, some Heroes of the Soviet Union for outstanding labor feats and services in building socialism in our country were awarded another highest degree of distinction of the USSR - the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. These two highest degrees of distinction of the Soviet state were awarded to comrades L. I. Brezhnev, K. E. Voroshilov, V. I. Golovchenko, K. P. Orlovsky and others.
In peaceful days, there is also a place for heroic deeds that glorify our Soviet Motherland. The family of Heroes of the Soviet Union included brave pioneers and space explorers - Yuri Gagarin, German Titov, Andriyan Nikolaev, Pavel Popovich, Valery Bykovsky, Valentina Tereshkova and others. Pilot-cosmonaut G. T. Beregovoy, awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the heroism, courage and bravery he showed during the Great Patriotic War, was awarded the second Gold Star medal for his services in space exploration. Also, for their services in the exploration of outer space, pilot-cosmonauts of the USSR were awarded the second Gold Star medal. Heroes of the Soviet Union Volkov V.P., Volynov B.V., Gorbatko V.V., Eliseev A.S., Klimuk P.I. ., Komarov V. M., Kubasov V. N., Leonov A. A., Nikolaev A. G., Popovich P. R., Rukavishnikov N. N., Sevastyanov V. I., Filipchenko A. V., Shatalov V. A.
By the beginning of 1977, 12,497 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, of which 136 people were awarded two Gold Star medals, 3 people were awarded three Gold Star medals and 1 person was awarded four Gold Star medals.
Among the Heroes of the Soviet Union there are 91 women; 24 of them received this high title for partisan activities.
More than 20 foreign citizens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Among the first foreigners to be awarded this rank were the Czechoslovakian serviceman Nadpo-ruchik Yarosh O.F., servicemen of the 1st Polish Infantry Division Lieutenant Sokhor A.A. and the rifleman of the company of machine gunners Kzhiwon A.T.
Noting the great merits of the Heroes of the Soviet Union to the socialist Motherland, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, by Decree of September 6, 1967, established a number of benefits for persons awarded this high title [The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 6, 1967 was supplemented by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR oh 30 Air 1975]. According to this Decree, Heroes of the Soviet Union have the right:
To establish personal pensions of union significance in relation to the conditions determined by the Regulations on personal pensions. This right is also enjoyed by the families of deceased Heroes of the Soviet Union, who were previously awarded a pension on other grounds;
To provide living space according to established standards in the first place;
To pay for the living space occupied by them and members of their families in the amount of 50 percent of the rent, calculated at the rates established for workers and employees;
When living in houses owned by them as personal property, a discount on the tax on buildings and land rent or on agricultural tax in the amount of 50 percent of the established rates;
To pay for the additional space they occupy, up to 15 square meters. meters in single size;
Personal free travel once a year (round trip) by rail - in soft carriages
fast and passenger trains, water transport - in cabins I class (category I seats) of express and passenger lines, air or intercity road transport;
Personal free use of intracity transport (tram, bus, trolleybus, metro, water crossings), and in rural areas - buses of intradistrict lines;
To receive, upon the conclusion of the medical institution, an annual free voucher to a sanatorium or rest home [Issuing free vouchers to Heroes of the Soviet Union. is carried out at the place of their work (service), and for non-working pensioners - by the authorities that assigned the pension];
VA extraordinary service by entertainment and public utility enterprises, cultural and educational institutions;
For treatment at the place of residence in clinics and hospitals (hospitals) of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, depending on which of these ministries or the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR the Hero of the Soviet Union was on service [This applies to Heroes of the Soviet Union who are in service or retired.].
The heroes of the Soviet Union are examples of courage, bravery, devotion to duty, unparalleled devotion to their Motherland, loyalty to the cause of the great Lenin - the cause of communism, and are honored and respected by all our people.
ORDERS AND MEDALS OF WWII
Military awards are the brightest monuments of our military history, reminiscent of the glorious pages of the struggle against the enemies of the Fatherland.
MEDAL "GOLD STAR" OF THE HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION
Date of establishment: April 16, 1934
First award: April 20, 1934
Last awarded: December 24, 1991
Number of awards: 12772
The highest degree of distinction of the USSR. An honorary title awarded for accomplishment of a feat or outstanding merit during hostilities, and also, as an exception, in peacetime.
The title was first established by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 16, 1934; an additional insignia for the Hero of the Soviet Union - the Gold Star medal - was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1939.
On April 16, 1934, by resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was established as amended: “To establish the highest degree of distinction - the awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for personal or collective services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed.” No insignia were provided; only a certificate from the USSR Central Executive Committee was issued.
All eleven pilots, the first Heroes of the Soviet Union, received the Order of Lenin for their rank. The practice of awards was formalized by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee in the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on July 29, 1936. In this edition, citizens awarded the title, in addition to a diploma, were also entitled to the Order of Lenin.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1939, a special distinctive sign was introduced for Heroes of the Soviet Union - the “Hero of the Soviet Union” medal. Another Decree of October 16, 1939 approved the appearance of the medal, which was called the “Gold Star”. Unlike the original Regulations, the possibility of multiple awards with the “Gold Star” was now provided for. Twice the Hero of the Soviet Union was given a second Gold Star medal and a bronze bust was built for him in his homeland. Three times the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded a third Gold Star medal, and his bronze bust should be installed at the Palace of the Soviets in Moscow. The issuance of Orders of Lenin when awarding the second and third medals was not provided for. The Decree did not say anything about awarding the title for the 4th time, nor did it say anything about the possible number of awards for one person.
The numbering of medals for the first, second and third awards was separate. Since the construction of the grandiose Palace of Soviets in Moscow was not completed due to the war, busts of three Heroes were installed in the Kremlin.
MEDAL "FOR COMBAT MERIT"
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 17, 1938.
The medal "For Military Merit" was awarded to:
. military personnel of the Soviet Army, Navy, border and internal troops
. other citizens of the USSR,
. as well as persons who are not citizens of the USSR.
The medal was awarded to distinguished individuals for:
. For skillful, proactive and courageous actions in battle that contributed to the successful completion of combat missions by a military unit or unit;
. For the courage shown in defending the state border of the USSR;
. For excellent success in combat and political training, mastering new military equipment and maintaining high combat readiness of military units and their subunits, and other merits during active military service.
The medal “For Military Merit” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the Ushakov medal.
As of January 1, 1995, the Medal for Military Merit had been awarded to 5,210,078.
MEDAL OF HONOR"
Diameter - 37 mm
Date of establishment: October 17, 1938
Number of awards: 4,000,000
State award of the USSR and the Russian Federation. It was established on October 17, 1938 to reward soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and Border Guards for personal courage and courage in battles with the enemies of the Soviet Union while protecting the inviolability of state borders or when fighting saboteurs, spies and other enemies of the Soviet state. Among the first to be awarded this medal were border guards N. Gulyaev and F. Grigoriev, who detained a group of saboteurs near Lake Khasan. By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1992 No. 2424-1, the medal was retained in the Russian Federation award system. Re-established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 No. 442.
The Medal “For Courage” is awarded to military personnel, as well as employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation and other citizens of the Russian Federation for personal courage and bravery shown:
. in battles in defense of the Russian Federation and its state interests;
. when performing special tasks to ensure state security of the Russian Federation;
. when protecting the state border of the Russian Federation;
. when performing military, official or civil duty, protecting the constitutional rights of citizens in conditions involving risk to life.
The medal “For Courage” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the Russian Federation, is located after the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, II degree.
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF LENINGRAD"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Number of awards: 1,470,000
Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 22, 1942. The author of the medal project is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Leningrad:
. military personnel of units, formations and institutions of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who actually participated in the defense of the city;
. workers, employees and other civilians who participated in hostilities to protect the city, contributed to the defense of the city with their dedicated work in enterprises, institutions, participated in the construction of defensive structures, in air defense, in protecting public utilities, in fighting fires from raids by enemy aircraft, in the organization and maintenance of transport and communications, in the organization of public catering, supplies and cultural services for the population, in caring for the sick and wounded, in organizing child care and carrying out other measures for the defense of the city.
The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the rescue of drowning people”.
Persons awarded the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” have the right to be awarded the later established anniversary medal “In memory of the 250th anniversary of Leningrad.”
As of 1985, the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was awarded to about 1,470,000 people. Among them are 15 thousand children and teenagers under siege.
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF ODESSA"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: December 22, 1942
Number of awards: 30,000
Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 22, 1942. The author of the design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Odessa” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Odessa - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of Odessa is considered to be August 10 - October 16, 1941.
The medal was awarded on behalf of the USSR PMC on the basis of documents certifying actual participation in the defense of Odessa, issued by unit commanders, heads of military medical institutions, and the Odessa regional and city Councils of Working People's Deputies.
The medal “For the Defense of Odessa” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Moscow”.
As of 1985, about 30,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Odessa”.
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF SEVASTOPOL"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: December 22, 1942
Number of awards: 52540
Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 22, 1942. The author of the approved design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Sevastopol - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The defense of Sevastopol lasted 250 days, from October 30, 1941 to July 4, 1942.
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Odessa”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 52,540 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol.”
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF STALINGRAD"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: December 22, 1942
Number of awards: 759560
Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 22, 1942. The author of the medal design is artist N. I. Moskalev
The medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Stalingrad - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of Stalingrad is considered to be July 12 - November 19, 1942.
The medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol”.
As of January 1, 1995, the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" had been awarded to approximately 759,560 people.
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE CAUCASUS"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Number of awards: 870,000
The medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” was awarded to all participants in the defense of the Caucasus - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense.
The medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Kyiv”.
As of 1985, about 870,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus.”
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF MOSCOW"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: May 1, 1944
Number of awards: 1,028,600
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 1, 1944. The author of the design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Moscow” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Moscow:
. all military personnel and civilian personnel of the Soviet Army and NKVD troops who participated in the defense of Moscow for at least one month from October 19, 1941 to January 25, 1942;
. civilians who took a direct part in the defense of Moscow for at least one month from October 19, 1941 to January 25, 1942;
. military personnel of the Moscow air defense zone and air defense units, as well as civilians, were the most active participants in the defense of Moscow from enemy air raids from July 22, 1941 to January 25, 1942;
. military personnel and civilians from the population of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region who took an active part in the construction of defensive lines and structures of the defensive line of the Reserve Front, Mozhaisk, Podolsk lines and the Moscow bypass.
. partisans of the Moscow region and active participants in the defense of the hero city of Tula.
The medal “For the Defense of Moscow” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 1,028,600 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Moscow.”
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE SOVIET POLAR REGION"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: December 5, 1944
Number of awards: 353,240
Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 5, 1944. The author of the image of the medal is Lieutenant Colonel V. Alov with modifications by the artist A. I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic” was awarded to all participants in the defense of the Arctic - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of the Soviet Arctic is considered to be June 22, 1941 - November 1944.
The medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 353,240 people have been awarded the medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic.”
MEDAL "FOR THE DEFENSE OF Kyiv"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 21, 1961
Number of awards: 107540
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 21, 1961. The author of the medal project is the artist V. N. Atlantov.
The medal "For the Defense of Kiev" was awarded to all participants in the defense of Kiev - military personnel of the Soviet Army and the troops of the former NKVD, as well as all workers who took part in the defense of Kiev in the ranks of the people's militia, in the construction of defensive fortifications, who worked in factories and factories that served the needs of the front, members of the Kyiv underground and partisans who fought the enemy near Kiev. The period of defense of Kyiv is considered to be July - September 1941.
The medal “For the Defense of Kyiv” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 107,540 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Kyiv.”
MEDAL "FOR THE LIBERATION OF BELGRADE"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Number of awards: 70,000
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 9, 1945. The design of the medal was created by artist A.I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of Belgrade during the period September 29 - October 22, 1944, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city.
The medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Berlin”.
About 70,000 people were awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade.
MEDAL "FOR THE LIBERATION OF WARSAW"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 701,700
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 9, 1945. The author of the medal project is the artist Kuritsyna.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 701,700 people had been awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw.
The medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of Warsaw in the period January 14-17, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city.
The medal is awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents certifying actual participation in the liberation of Warsaw, issued by unit commanders and heads of military medical institutions.
Delivery is made:
. persons located in military units of the Red Army and Navy - commanders of military units;
. persons who retired from the army and navy - by regional, city and district military commissars at the place of residence of the recipients.
The medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade”.
MEDAL "FOR THE LIBERATION OF PRAGUE"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 395,000
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 9, 1945. The authors of the medal design are artist A. I. Kuznetsov and artist Skorzhinskaya.
The medal “For the Liberation of Prague” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of Prague from May 3 to May 9, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city.
The medal “For the Liberation of Prague” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw”.
As of 1962, the medal “For the Liberation of Prague” had been awarded to over 395,000 people.
MEDAL "FOR THE CAPTURE OF BERLIN"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 1,100,000
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 9, 1945 in honor of the capture of Berlin during the Great Patriotic War.
According to the Regulations on the medal “For the Capture of Berlin” it was awarded to "military personnel The Soviet Army, Navy and NKVD troops were direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Berlin, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.”
In total, more than 1.1 million people were awarded the medal “For the Capture of Berlin”.
The medal “For the Capture of Berlin” is round, 32 mm in diameter, made of brass. On the front side of the medal, the inscription “For the capture of Berlin” is minted in the center. Along the lower edge of the medal is an image of an oak half-wreath intertwined with a ribbon in the middle part. Above the inscription is a five-pointed star. The front side of the medal is bordered by a border. On the reverse side of the medal is the date of the capture of Berlin by Soviet troops: “May 2, 1945”; below is a five-pointed star. All inscriptions and images on the front and back of the medal are convex. At the top of the medal there is an eyelet, with which the medal is connected by means of a ring to a metal pentagonal block, which serves to attach the medal to clothing. The shoe is covered with a red silk moire ribbon 24 mm wide. There are five stripes running down the middle of the ribbon - three black and two orange.
MEDAL "FOR THE CAPTURE OF BUDAPEST"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 362,050
The medal “For the Capture of Budapest” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Budapest during the period December 20, 1944 - February 15, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Budapest” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Victory over Japan”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 362,050 people had been awarded the Medal for the Capture of Budapest.
MEDAL "FOR THE CAPTURE OF VIENNA"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 277,380
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 9, 1945 in honor of the capture of Vienna during the Great Patriotic War.
The medal “For the Capture of Vienna” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the assault and capture of Vienna during the period March 16 - April 13, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Vienna” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 277,380 people had been awarded the medal for the capture of Vienna.
MEDAL "FOR THE CAPTURE OF KONIGSBERG"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 760,000
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 9, 1945. The author of the medal project is artist A. I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Koenigsberg in the period January 23 - April 10, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Budapest”.
As of 1987, about 760,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”.
MEDAL "FOR VICTORY OVER GERMANY IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 1941 - 1945"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: June 9, 1945
Number of awards: 14,933,000
Medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 9, 1945. The authors of the medal are artists E. M. Romanov and I. K. Andrianov.
Medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" were awarded:
. all military personnel and civilian staff who took direct part in the ranks of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops on the fronts of the Patriotic War or ensured victory through their work in military districts;
. all military personnel and civilian staff members who served during the Great Patriotic War in the ranks of the active Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, but left them due to injury, illness and injury, as well as transferred by decision of state and party organizations to another work outside the army.
Medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic”.
As of January 1, 1995, the medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" approximately 14,933,000 people were awarded.
MEDAL "FOR VICTORY OVER JAPAN"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: brass
Date of establishment: September 30, 1945
Number of awards: 1,800,000
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 30, 1945. The author of the medal project is the artist M.L. Lukina.
The medal "For Victory over Japan" is awarded to:
. all military personnel and civilian personnel of units and formations of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who took direct part in the hostilities against the Japanese imperialists as part of the troops of the 1st Far Eastern, 2nd Far Eastern and Transbaikal fronts, the Pacific Fleet and the Amur river flotilla;
. military personnel of the central departments of the NKO, NKVMF and NKVD, who took part in supporting the combat operations of Soviet troops in the Far East.
The medal “For Victory over Japan” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the anniversary medal “Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.” It is interesting that Stalin looks to the right (towards Japan), and in the medal “For Victory over Germany” he looks to the left (towards Germany).
The total number of people awarded the medal “For Victory over Japan” is about 1,800,000 people.
MEDAL "FOR VALORANT LABOR IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 1941 - 1945"
Diameter - 32 mm
Material: copper
Date of establishment: June 6, 1945
Number of awards: 16,096,750
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 6, 1945. The authors of the medal design are artists I.K. Andrianov and E.M. Romanov.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" are awarded:
. workers, engineering and technical personnel and employees of industry and transport;
. collective farmers and agricultural specialists;
. workers of science, technology, art and literature;
. workers of Soviet, party, trade union and other public organizations - who, with their valiant and selfless labor, ensured the victory of the Soviet Union over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Liberation of Prague”.
As of January 1, 1995, the medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945” approximately 16,096,750 people were awarded.
I degree
Diameter - 32 mm
Material - 1st degree - silver
Number of awards: 1st degree - 56,883
MEDAL "PARTIZAN OF THE PATRIOTIC WAR"
II degree
Diameter - 32 mm
Material - 2nd degree - brass
Date of establishment: February 2, 1943
Number of awards: 2nd degree - 70,992
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on February 2, 1943. The author of the medal drawing is the artist N.I. Moskalev, the drawing is taken from the unrealized project of the medal “25 Years of the Soviet Army”.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War” was awarded to partisans, commanding staff of partisan detachments and organizers of the partisan movement for special merits in organizing the partisan movement, for courage, heroism and outstanding successes in the partisan struggle for the Soviet Motherland behind the lines of the Nazi invaders.
The medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War" of the 1st and 2nd degree is awarded to the partisans of the Patriotic War, the commanding staff of partisan detachments and the organizers of the partisan movement who showed courage, tenacity, and courage in the partisan struggle for our Soviet Motherland in the rear against the Nazi invaders.
The medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War" of the 1st and 2nd degree is awarded by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War”, 1st degree, is awarded to partisans, commanding staff of partisan detachments and organizers of the partisan movement for courage, heroism and outstanding successes in the partisan struggle for our Soviet Motherland behind the lines of the Nazi invaders.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War”, 2nd degree, is awarded to partisans, commanding staff of partisan detachments and organizers of the partisan movement for personal combat distinction in carrying out orders and assignments of the command, for active assistance in the partisan struggle against the Nazi invaders.
The highest grade of the medal is 1st grade.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For Labor Distinction” in order of seniority of degrees.
Until 1974, this medal was the only USSR medal that had 2 degrees. As of January 1, 1995, the medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War”, 1st degree, was awarded to 56,883 people, 2nd degree - 70,992 people.
NAKHIMOV MEDAL
Diameter - 36 mm
Material - bronze
Date of establishment: March 3, 1944
Number of awards: 14,000
The medal was made according to the design of the architect M. A. Shepilevsky.
The Nakhimov medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and maritime units of the border troops.
The Nakhimov medal was awarded to:
. for skillful, proactive and courageous actions that contributed to the successful completion of combat missions of ships and units in naval theaters;
. for the courage shown in defending the state maritime border of the USSR;
. for dedication shown in the performance of military duty, or other merits during active military service in conditions involving risk to life.
The Nakhimov medal is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For Military Merit”.
In total, over 13,000 awards were made with the Nakhimov medal.
USHAKOV MEDAL
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on March 3, 1944.
The Ushakov Medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and naval units of the border troops for the courage and bravery shown in defending the socialist Fatherland in maritime theaters, both in war and in peacetime.
The Ushakov medal was awarded for personal courage and courage shown by:
. in battles with the enemies of the socialist Fatherland in naval theaters;
. when protecting the state maritime border of the USSR;
. when performing combat missions of ships and units of the Navy and border troops;
. when performing military duty in conditions involving risk to life.
The Ushakov medal is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For Courage”.
BADGE "GUARDS"
On May 21, 1943, the “Guard” badge was established for military personnel of units and formations awarded the title of Guards. The artist S.I. Dmitriev was commissioned to make a drawing of the future sign. As a result, a laconic and at the same time expressive project was adopted, representing a five-pointed star framed by a laurel wreath, above it a red banner with the inscription “Guard”. Based on the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 11, 1943, this sign was also placed on the banners of armies and corps that received the title of guards. The difference was that on the banner of the Guards Army the sign was depicted in a wreath of oak branches, and on the banner of the Guards Corps - without a wreath.
In total, during the war, until May 9, 1945, the title of guards was awarded to: 11 combined arms and 6 tank armies; horse-mechanized group; 40 rifle, 7 cavalry, 12 tank, 9 mechanized and 14 aviation corps; 117 rifle, 9 airborne, 17 cavalry, 6 artillery, 53 aviation and 6 anti-aircraft artillery divisions; 7 rocket artillery divisions; many dozens of brigades and regiments. The Navy had 18 surface guard ships, 16 submarines, 13 combat boat divisions, 2 air divisions, 1 marine brigade and 1 naval railway artillery brigade.
ORDER OF THE RED BANNER
Date of establishment: September 16, 1918
First award on September 30, 1918
Last award 1991
Number of awards 581,300
Established to reward special courage, dedication and courage shown in the defense of the socialist Fatherland. The Order of the Red Banner was also awarded to military units, warships, state and public organizations. Until the establishment of the Order of Lenin in 1930, the Order of the Red Banner remained the highest order of the Soviet Union.
It was established on September 16, 1918 during the Civil War by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. Initially it was called the Order of the Red Banner. During the Civil War, similar orders were also established in other Soviet republics. On August 1, 1924, all orders of the Soviet republics were transformed into a single “Order of the Red Banner” for the entire USSR. The statute of the order was approved by the Resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR of January 11, 1932 (on June 19, 1943 and December 16, 1947, this Resolution was amended and supplemented by Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR). The latest edition of the order's statute was approved by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of March 28, 1980.
The Order of the Red Banner was awarded to the Komsomol, the newspaper "Red Star", the Baltic State Technical University "Voenmech", the cities of Leningrad (Petrograd), Kopeisk, Grozny, Tashkent, Volgograd (Tsaritsyn), Lugansk, Sevastopol.
ORDER OF THE RED STAR
Date of establishment: April 6, 1930
First award: V. K. Blucher
Last awarded: December 19, 1991
Number of awards: 3876740
Established by the Resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 6, 1930. The statute of the order was established by the Resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR of May 5, 1930.
Subsequently, issues related to the awarding of the Order of the Red Star were amended and clarified by the General Regulations on Orders of the USSR (Resolution of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated May 7, 1936), Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 19, 1943, February 26, 1946, October 15, 1947 and December 16, 1947. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 28, 1980 approved the Statute of the Order of the Red Star in a new edition.
THE ORDER OF LENIN
Dimensions: height: 38-45 mm
width: 38 mm
Material: gold, platinum
Date of establishment: April 6, 1930
First award: May 23, 1930
Last awarded: December 21, 1991
Number of awards: 431,418
The history of the order dates back to July 8, 1926, when the head of the Main Directorate of the Red Army V.N. Levichev proposed issuing a new award - the “Order of Ilyich” - to persons who already had four Orders of the Red Banner. This award was to become the highest military decoration. However, since the Civil War in Russia had already ended, the draft of the new order was not accepted. At the same time, the Council of People's Commissars recognized the need to create the highest award of the Soviet Union, awarded not only for military merit.
At the beginning of 1930, work on the project of a new order, called the “Order of Lenin,” was resumed. Artists from the Goznak factory in Moscow were tasked with creating a drawing of the order, the main image on the sign of which was to be a portrait of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. From many sketches, we chose the work of the artist I. I. Dubasov, who took as the basis for the portrait a photograph of Lenin taken at the Second Congress of the Comintern in Moscow by photographer V. K. Bulla in July-August 1920. On it, Vladimir Ilyich is captured in profile to the left of the viewer.
In the spring of 1930, the sketch of the order was transferred to the sculptors I. D. Shadr and P. I. Tayozhny to create a model. In the same year, the first insignia of the Order of Lenin were made at the Goznak factory.
The order was established by a resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR on April 6, and its statute was established on May 5, 1930. The statute of the order and its description were amended by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated September 27, 1934, and the Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Council dated June 19, 1943 and December 16, 1947.
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 28, 1980, the statute of the order was approved in its final edition.
ORDER OF THE PATRIOTIC WAR
I degree
Date of establishment: May 20, 1942
First award: June 2, 1942
Number of awards: more than 9.1 million
ORDER OF THE PATRIOTIC WAR
II degree
On May 20, 1942, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On the establishment of the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st and 2nd degrees” was signed and along with it the statute of the new order. For the first time in the history of the Soviet award system, specific feats were listed, for which awards were given to representatives of all major branches of the military.
The Order of the Patriotic War, I and II degrees, could be received by privates and commanding officers of the Red Army, Navy, NKVD troops and partisans who showed bravery, fortitude and courage in battles with the Nazis, or who through their actions contributed to the success of military operations of the Soviet troops. The right to this order was specifically stipulated for civilians who were awarded for their contribution to the common victory over the enemy.
The Order of the 1st degree is awarded to the one who personally destroys 2 heavy or medium or 3 light enemy tanks, or as part of a gun crew - 3 heavy or medium tanks or 5 light ones. The Order of the 2nd degree could be earned by someone who personally destroys 1 heavy or medium tank or 2 light tanks, or as part of a gun crew 2 heavy or medium or 3 light enemy tanks.
ORDER OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY
Diameter - 50 mm
Material: silver
First award: November 5, 1942
Number of awards: 42,165
The architect I. S. Telyatnikov won the competition for the drawing of the Order of Alexander Nevsky. The artist used a frame from the film “Alexander Nevsky”, which was released shortly before, where the Soviet actor Nikolai Cherkasov starred in the title role. His profile in this role was reproduced in a drawing of the future order. The medallion with a portrait image of Alexander Nevsky is in the center of a five-pointed red star, from which silver rays extend; Along the edges are ancient Russian military attributes—crossed reeds, a sword, a bow and a quiver of arrows.
According to the statute, the order was awarded to Red Army officers (from division commander to platoon commander) for their initiative in choosing the right moment for a sudden, bold and successful attack on the enemy and inflicting a major defeat on him with few losses for their troops; for the successful completion of a combat mission with the destruction of all or most of the superior enemy forces; for commanding an artillery, tank or aviation unit that inflicted heavy damage on the enemy.
In total, during the war years, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was awarded to more than 42 thousand Soviet soldiers and about 70 foreign generals and officers. More than 1,470 military units and formations received the right to attach this order to the battle banner.
ORDER OF KUTUZOV
I degree
Date of establishment: July 29, 1942
First award: January 28, 1943
Number of awards: 1st degree – 675
II degree - 3326
III degree - 3328
ORDER OF KUTUZOV
II degree
ORDER OF KUTUZOV
III degree
The Order of Kutuzov (project of the artist N. I. Moskalev) 1st degree could be received by the commander of a front, army, his deputy or chief of staff for good organization of the forced withdrawal of large formations with the delivery of counterattacks to the enemy, the withdrawal of their troops to new lines with small losses; for skillfully organizing the operation of large formations to combat superior enemy forces and maintaining their troops in constant readiness for a decisive offensive.
The statute is based on the fighting qualities that distinguished the activities of the great commander M.I. Kutuzov - skillful defense, exhausting the enemy and then launching a decisive counter-offensive.
One of the first Orders of Kutuzov, II degree, was awarded to Major General K. S. Melnik, commander of the 58th Army, which defended the section of the Caucasian Front from Mozdok to Malgobek. In difficult defensive battles, having exhausted the main forces of the enemy, K. S. Melnik’s army launched a counter-offensive and, having broken the enemy’s defense line, fought in the Yeisk region.
The regulations on the Order of Kutuzov, III degree, contain the following clause: the order can be given to an officer “for skillfully developing a battle plan that ensures clear interaction of all types of weapons and its successful outcome.”
ORDER OF SUVOROV
I degree
Date of establishment: July 29, 1942
First award: January 28, 1943
Number of awards: 7267
ORDER OF SUVOROV
II degree
ORDER OF SUVOROV
III degree
In June 1942, a decision was made to establish orders named after the great Russian commanders - Suvorov, Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky. These orders could be awarded to generals and officers of the Red Army for excellence in battles against the Nazis and for skillful leadership of military operations.
The 1st degree of the Order of Suvorov was awarded to commanders of fronts and armies, their deputies, chiefs of staff, operational departments and branches of troops of fronts and armies for a well-organized and carried out operation on the scale of an army or front, as a result of which the enemy was defeated or destroyed. One circumstance was particularly stipulated - victory had to be won by smaller forces over a numerically superior enemy, according to the famous Suvorov rule: “The enemy is beaten not by numbers, but by skill.”
The Order of Suvorov II degree could be awarded to the commander of a corps, division or brigade, as well as his deputy and chief of staff for organizing the defeat of a corps or division, for breaking through the enemy’s modern defensive line with its subsequent pursuit and destruction, as well as for organizing a battle in an encirclement, escape from encirclement while maintaining the combat effectiveness of their units, their weapons and equipment. The II degree badge could also be received by the commander of an armored formation for a deep raid behind enemy lines, “as a result of which a sensitive blow was dealt to the enemy, ensuring the successful completion of an army operation.”
The Order of Suvorov, III degree, was intended to reward commanders of regiments, battalions and companies for skillfully organizing and carrying out a victorious battle with forces smaller than those of the enemy.
ORDER OF BOGDAN KHMELNITSKY
I degree
Diameter: 55 mm
Date of establishment: October 10, 1943
First award: October 28, 1943
Number of awards: 8451
ORDER OF BOGDAN KHMELNITSKY
II degree
ORDER OF BOGDAN KHMELNITSKY
III degree
In the summer of 1943, the Soviet army was preparing to liberate Soviet Ukraine. The idea of an award bearing the name of an outstanding Ukrainian statesman and commander belongs to film director A.P. Dovzhenko and poet M. Bazhan. Pashchenko's project was recognized as the best. The main material for the order of the 1st degree is gold, II and III - silver. The statute of the order was approved along with the Decree establishing the order on October 10, 1943. The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky was awarded to soldiers and commanders of the Red Army, as well as partisans for their distinction in battles during the liberation of Soviet land from fascist invaders.
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, 1st degree, could be received by the commander of a front or army for a successful operation using skillful maneuver, as a result of which a city or region was liberated from the enemy, and the enemy was seriously defeated in manpower and equipment.
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, II degree, could be earned by an officer from corps commander to regiment commander for breaking through a fortified enemy line and a successful raid behind enemy lines.
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, III degree, could be received, along with officers and partisan commanders, by sergeants, petty officers and ordinary soldiers of the Red Army and partisan detachments for the courage and resourcefulness shown in battles, which contributed to the fulfillment of the assigned combat mission.
In total, about eight and a half thousand awards were made with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, including 323 first class, about 2,400 second class, and more than 5,700 third class. Over a thousand military units and formations received the order as a collective award.
ORDER OF GLORY
I degree
Diameter: 46 mm
First award: November 28, 1943
Number of awards: more than 1 million.
ORDER OF GLORY
II degree
ORDER OF GLORY
III degree
In October 1943, N.I. Moskalev’s project was approved by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. At the same time, the color of the ribbon of the future Order of Glory proposed by the artist was approved—orange and black, repeating the colors of the most honorable military award of pre-revolutionary Russia—the Order of St. George.
The Order of Glory was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 8, 1943. It has three degrees, of which the highest I degree is gold, and II and III are silver (the second degree had a gilded central medallion). This insignia could be issued for personal feat on the battlefield, and was issued in strict order - from lowest to highest degree.
The Order of Glory could be received by the one who was the first to break into the enemy’s position, who in battle saved the banner of his unit or captured the enemy’s, who, risking his life, saved the commander in battle, who shot down a fascist plane with a personal weapon (rifle or machine gun) or destroyed up to 50 enemy soldiers, etc.
In total, about a million badges of the Order of Glory, III degree, were issued for distinction during the Great Patriotic War, more than 46 thousand - II degree, and about 2,600 - I degree.
ORDER "VICTORY"
Total weight - 78 g:
Material:
platinum - 47 g,
gold - 2 g,
silver - 19 g,
rubies - 25 carats,
diamonds - 16 carats.
Date of establishment: November 8, 1943
First award: April 10, 1944
Last awarded: September 9, 1945
(February 20, 1978)
Number of awards: 20 (19)
By decree of November 8, 1943, the order was established, its statute and description of the sign were approved. The statute stated: “The Order of Victory, as the highest military order, is awarded to the highest command staff of the Red Army for the successful conduct of such military operations, on the scale of several or one front, as a result of which the situation radically changes in favor of the Red Army.”
In total, during the years of the Great Patriotic War, 19 awards were made with the Order of Victory. It was received twice by Generalissimo of the Soviet Union I.V. Stalin, Marshals G.K. Zhukov and A.M. Vasilevsky. Marshals I. S. Konev, K. K. Rokossovsky, R. Ya. Malinovsky, F. I. Tolbukhin, L. A. Govorov, S. K. Timoshenko and Army General A. I. each received one order for their skillful leadership of the troops. Antonov. Marshal K. A. Meretskov was awarded for distinction in the war with Japan.
In addition, five foreign military leaders were awarded the Soviet military order for their contribution to the overall victory over fascism. These are the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia, Marshal Broz Tito, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army, Marshal M. Rolya-Zhimierski, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Armed Forces in Western Europe, General of the Army D. Eisenhower, the Commander of the Army Group in Western Europe, B. Montgomery and former King Mihai of Romania.
ORDER OF NAKHIMOV
I degree
Date of establishment: March 3, 1944
First award: May 16, 1944
Number of awards: more than 500
ORDER OF NAKHIMOV
II degree
Artist B. M. Khomich.
Established on March 3, 1944 by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR: “On the establishment of military orders: the Order of Ushakov, I and II degrees, and the Order of Nakhimov, I and II degrees.”
The Order of Nakhimov was awarded “for outstanding success in the development, conduct and support of naval operations, as a result of which an offensive operation of the enemy was repelled or active operations of the fleet were ensured, significant damage was inflicted on the enemy and one’s main forces were preserved; for a successful defensive operation, as a result of which the enemy was defeated; for a well-conducted anti-landing operation that inflicted heavy losses on the enemy; for skillful actions in defending one’s bases and communications from the enemy, which led to the destruction of significant enemy forces and the disruption of his offensive operation.”
ORDER OF USHAKOV
I degree
ORDER OF USHAKOV
II degree
Established in 1944. Artist B. M. Khomich.
The Order of Ushakov is superior to the Order of Nakhimov. The Order of Ushakov is divided into two degrees. The 1st degree of the Order of Ushakov was made of platinum, the 2nd - of gold. For the Order of Ushakov, the colors of the St. Andrew's naval flag of pre-revolutionary Russia were taken - white and blue. Established on March 3, 1944 by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR: “On the establishment of military orders: the Order of Ushakov, I and II degrees, and the Order of Nakhimov, I and II degrees.”
The Order of Ushakov could be issued for an active successful operation, resulting in victory over a numerically superior enemy. It could have been a naval battle that resulted in the destruction of significant enemy forces; a successful landing operation that led to the destruction of enemy coastal bases and fortifications; bold actions on the fascist sea communications, as a result of which valuable enemy warships and transports were sunk. In total, the Order of Ushakov II degree was awarded 194 times. Among the units and ships of the Navy, 13 have this award on their banners.
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Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of distinction of the USSR. The highest rank awarded for accomplishment of a feat or outstanding merit during hostilities, and also, as an exception, in peacetime.
The title was first established by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 16, 1934, an additional insignia for the Hero of the Soviet Union - the Gold Star medal - was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 1, 1939. The author of the award sketch is the architect Miron Ivanovich Merzhanov.
Order "Victory"
The Order of Victory is the highest military order of the USSR, was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of November 8, 1943 on the establishment of the Order of Victory simultaneously with the soldier's Order of Glory. By decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of August 18, 1944, the sample and description of the ribbon of the Order of Victory, as well as the procedure for wearing the bar with the ribbon of the order, were approved. In total there were 20 awards and seventeen gentlemen (three were awarded twice, one was deprived of the award posthumously).
Order of the Red Star
The Order of the Red Star was established by the Resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated April 6, 1930. The statute of the order was established by the Resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR of May 5, 1930.
Subsequently, issues related to the awarding of the Order of the Red Star were amended and clarified by the General Regulations on Orders of the USSR (Resolution of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated May 7, 1936), Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 19, 1943, February 26, 1946, October 15, 1947 and December 16, 1947. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 28, 1980 approved the Statute of the Order of the Red Star in a new edition.
Order of the Red Banner
The Order of the Red Banner (Order "Red Banner") is the first of the Soviet orders. It was established to reward special bravery, dedication and courage shown in the defense of the socialist Fatherland. The Order of the Red Banner was also awarded to military units, warships, state and public organizations. Until the establishment of the Order of Lenin in 1930, the Order of the Red Banner remained the highest order of the Soviet Union.
The order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin - the highest award of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - was established by a resolution of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR on April 6, 1930.
The first insignia of the Order of Lenin were made at the Goznak factory. The stamp for the test sample of the “Order of Lenin” badge was engraved by Alexey Pugachev.
The statute of the order and its description were amended by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR dated September 27, 1934, and the Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Council dated June 19, 1943 and December 16, 1947.
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 28, 1980, the statute of the order was approved in its final edition.
Order of Glory
The Order of Glory is a military order of the USSR, established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of November 8, 1943 “On the establishment of the Order of Glory I, II and III degrees.” Awarded to privates and sergeants of the Red Army, and in aviation to persons holding the rank of junior lieutenant. It was awarded only for personal merit; it was not awarded to military units and formations.
The Order of Glory has three degrees, of which the highest order, I degree, is gold, and II and III are silver (the second degree had a gilded central medallion). These insignia could be issued for personal feat on the battlefield, and were issued in strict order - from lowest to highest degree.
Order of Nakhimov
The Order of Nakhimov is a Soviet naval award during the Great Patriotic War.
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of March 3, 1944 on the establishment of military orders: the Order of Ushakov I and II degrees and the Order of Nakhimov I and II degrees, simultaneously with the Order of Ushakov specifically for awarding officers of the Navy. The reward hierarchy has the following correspondences:
- The naval commander's order of Ushakov corresponds to the military commander's order of Suvorov
In total, 82 awards were made with the Order of Nakhimov, I degree, and 469 awards were made with the Order of Nakhimov, II degree.
Order of Kutuzov
The Order of Kutuzov is a Soviet award established during the Great Patriotic War, named after Mikhail Kutuzov. The order is preserved in the award system of the Russian Federation.
This is the only Soviet order, different degrees of which were established at different times.
The first and second degrees of the Order of Kutuzov were established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 29, 1942. By decree of February 8, 1943, the III degree of the Order of Kutuzov was established, which brought it into line with the Order of Suvorov in terms of positions awarded. But unlike it, the Order of Kutuzov had a more “defensive” and “staff” character, which was reflected in its Statute.
The creator of the Kutuzov Order project was the artist N.I. Moskalev, the author of many sketches of orders and medals of the war years.
Order of the Patriotic War
The Order of the Patriotic War is a military order of the USSR, established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On the establishment of the Order of the Patriotic War, I and II degrees” dated May 20, 1942. Subsequently, some changes were made to the description of the order by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 19, 1943, and to the statute of the order by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 16, 1947. During the war, 1,276 thousand people were awarded this order, including about 350 thousand - the order of the 1st degree.
The Order of the Patriotic War was awarded to privates and commanding officers of the Red Army, Navy, NKVD troops and partisan detachments who showed courage, fortitude and courage in the battles for the Soviet Motherland, as well as military personnel who, through their actions, contributed to the success of the military operations of our troops.
The award was based on the project of A. I. Kuznetsov, and the idea of the inscription “Patriotic War” on the sign was taken from the project of S. I. Dmitriev.
In 1985, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the great victory over fascism, the Order of the Patriotic War was revived as a memorial award for veterans.
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky is a Soviet military order from the Great Patriotic War.
The order was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of October 10, 1943 on the establishment of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky I, II and III degrees. This Decree was subsequently amended by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated February 26, 1947.
The order was awarded to commanders and soldiers of the Red Army and Navy, leaders of partisan detachments and partisans who showed particular determination and skill in operations to defeat the enemy, high patriotism, courage and dedication in the struggle for the liberation of Soviet land from the German invaders.
Established during the liberation of Ukraine at the proposal of a member of the Military Council of the 1st Ukrainian Front, Lieutenant General N. S. Khrushchev; Among the participants in its creation were figures of Ukrainian culture: film director A. P. Dovzhenko and poet Mykola Bazhan.
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, 1st degree, was awarded only 323 times, and generals V.K. Baranov, N.A. Borzov, I.T. Bulychev, F. F. Zhmachenko and some others were awarded the order twice.
Order of Alexander Nevsky
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 29, 1942. Subsequently, the Statute of the order was supplemented by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 10, 1942. Partial changes were made to the description of the order by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 19, 1943.
The Order of Alexander Nevsky was awarded to commanders of the Red Army who showed personal courage, courage and bravery in the battles for their Motherland in the Patriotic War and who, through skillful command, ensured the successful actions of their units.
The best sketch of the Order of Alexander Nevsky was created by the young architect I.S. Telyatnikov.
In total, 42,165 awards were made with the Order of Alexander Nevsky for exploits and merits in the Great Patriotic War. Among those awarded are 1,473 military units and formations of the Soviet Army and Navy.
Order of Suvorov
The Order of Suvorov is a Soviet award from the Great Patriotic War. Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 29, 1942, simultaneously with the Orders of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky. The Order of Suvorov was awarded to commanders of the Red Army for outstanding achievements in command and control. Military units were also awarded.
The Order of Suvorov was awarded by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Order of Suvorov consisted of three degrees: I, II, and III degrees. The highest degree of the order was I degree.
The author of the project for the Order of Suvorov was the architect of the Central Military Design Institute, Petr Skokan.
In total, during the war years, 346 awards were made with the Order of Suvorov 1st degree, about 2800 awards with the 2nd degree, and about 4000 with the Order of the 3rd degree.
The Order has been preserved in the award system of modern Russia, however, at the moment, not a single award has been made yet.
Order of Ushakov
The Order of Ushakov is a Soviet naval award from the Great Patriotic War.
Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of March 3, 1944 on the establishment of military orders: the Order of Ushakov I and II degrees and the Order of Nakhimov I and II degrees, simultaneously with the Order of Nakhimov specifically for awarding officers of the Navy. The seniority of the Order of Ushakov over the Order of Nakhimov was determined and put in accordance with:
- naval commander's order of Ushakov - military commander's order of Suvorov
- naval commander's order of Nakhimov - military commander's order of Kutuzov
The order was designed by the architect M. A. Shepilevsky.
In total, the Order of Ushakov, 1st degree, was awarded 47 times, including awards to formations and units, including 11 times for the second time. The Order of Ushakov, II degree, was issued 194 times, including to 12 formations and units of the Navy.
Order of Mother's Glory
The Order of Mother's Glory was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 8, 1944. The statute of the order was approved by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 18, 1944. The Statute of the Order was amended and supplemented by Decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 16, 1947, May 28, 1973, and May 28, 1980.
The Order of Maternal Glory was awarded to mothers who gave birth and raised seven, eight and nine children.
The Order of Mother's Glory was awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR by decrees of the Presidiums of the Supreme Councils of the union and autonomous republics.
The Order of Mother's Glory consists of three degrees: I, II, and III degrees.
The author of the order project is the chief artist of Goznak, Honored Artist of the RSFSR I. I. Dubasov. The order was made at the Moscow Mint.
Medal of Honor"
The Medal "For Courage" is a state award of the USSR, Russian Federation and Belarus. It was established on October 17, 1938 to reward soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and Border Guard for personal courage and bravery in battles with the enemies of the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, the medal in the same design (with minor adjustments) was re-established in the award systems of Russia and Belarus.
Medal "For victory over Germany in the Second World War 1941-1945"
Medal "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of May 9, 1945. The authors of the medal are artists E. M. Romanov and I. K. Andrianov.
Medal "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" were awarded:
- all military personnel and civilian staff who took direct part in the ranks of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops on the fronts of the Patriotic War or ensured victory through their work in military districts;
- all military personnel and civilian staff members who served during the Great Patriotic War in the ranks of the active Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, but left them due to injury, illness and injury, as well as transferred by decision of state and party organizations to another work outside the army.
Medal "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" approximately 14,933,000 people were awarded.
Medal "For the Capture of Berlin"
Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" »
- a medal established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945 in honor of the capture of Berlin during the Great Patriotic War.
According to the Regulations on the medal “For the Capture of Berlin,” it was awarded to “military personnel of the Soviet Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Berlin, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.”
In total, more than 1.1 million people were awarded the medal “For the Capture of Berlin”.
Medal "For the Defense of the Caucasus"
The medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces dated May 1, 1944 on the establishment of the medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus.” The author of the design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” was awarded to all participants in the defense of the Caucasus - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense.
The medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Kyiv”.
About 870,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus”.
Medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War"
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated February 2, 1943. The author of the medal drawing is the artist N. I. Moskalev, the drawing is taken from the unrealized project of the medal “25 Years of the Soviet Army”.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War” was awarded to partisans, commanding staff of partisan detachments and organizers of the partisan movement for special merits in organizing the partisan movement, for courage, heroism and outstanding successes in the partisan struggle for the Soviet Motherland behind the lines of the Nazi invaders.
The medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War”, 1st degree, was awarded to 56,883 people, 2nd degree - 70,992 people.
Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw"
The medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945. The author of the medal project is the artist Kuritsyna.
The medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of Warsaw in the period January 14-17, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city.
Approximately 701,700 people were awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw.
Medal "For Military Merit"
The medal “For Military Merit” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 17, 1938, which was subsequently repeatedly supplemented by other regulatory documents. Together with the medal “For Courage,” it became one of the first Soviet awards.
The author of the medal design is artist S.I. Dmitriev.
The Medal “For Military Merit” was established to award for active assistance in the success of military operations and strengthening the combat readiness of troops.
The medal "For Military Merit" was awarded 5,210,078 times.
The medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 5, 1944 “On the establishment of the medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic” and on awarding this medal to participants in the defense of the Soviet Arctic.” The author of the image of the medal is Lieutenant Colonel V. Alov with modifications by the artist A. I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic” was awarded to all participants in the defense of the Arctic - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of the Soviet Arctic is considered to be June 22, 1941 - November 1944.
The medal "For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic" was awarded to approximately 353,240 people.
Medal "For the Capture of Budapest"
The medal “For the Capture of Budapest” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945. The author of the medal project is artist A.I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Capture of Budapest” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Budapest during the period December 20, 1944 - February 15, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Budapest” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Victory over Japan”.
Approximately 362,050 people were awarded the Medal for the Capture of Budapest.
Medal "For the Defense of Kyiv"
The medal “For the Defense of Kyiv” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 21, 1961. The author of the medal project is the artist V. N. Atlantov.
The medal "For the Defense of Kiev" was awarded to all participants in the defense of Kiev - military personnel of the Soviet Army and the troops of the former NKVD, as well as all workers who took part in the defense of Kiev in the ranks of the people's militia, in the construction of defensive fortifications, who worked in factories and factories that served the needs of the front, members of the Kyiv underground and partisans who fought the enemy near Kiev. The period of defense of Kyiv is considered to be July - September 1941.
The medal “For the Defense of Kyiv” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”.
As of January 1, 1995, approximately 107,540 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Kyiv.”
Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad"
The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 22, 1942. The author of the medal project is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Leningrad.
The awarding of the medal began immediately after its establishment; until 1945, about 600,000 blockade survivors were awarded. Information about these people as of 1945 was kept in the Museum of the Siege of Leningrad; there were 6 volumes with the names of the recipients. These documents were later lost
About 1,470,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad”. Among them are 15 thousand children and teenagers under siege.
Medal "For the Liberation of Prague"
The medal “For the Liberation of Prague” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945. The authors of the medal design are artist A.I. Kuznetsov and artist Skorzhinskaya. The medal “For the Liberation of Prague” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the Prague operation in the period May 3–9, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city. The medal “For the Liberation of Prague” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw”. Over 395,000 people were awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Prague.
Medal "For the Defense of Odessa"
The medal “For the Defense of Odessa” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 22, 1942. The author of the design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Odessa” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Odessa - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of Odessa is considered to be August 10 - October 16, 1941.
The medal was awarded on behalf of the USSR PMC on the basis of documents certifying actual participation in the defense of Odessa, issued by unit commanders, heads of military medical institutions, and the Odessa regional and city Councils of Working People's Deputies.
The medal “For the Defense of Odessa” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Moscow”.
About 30,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Defense of Odessa”.
Medal "For the Liberation of Belgrade"
Medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” is a medal established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945. The design of the medal was created by artist A.I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” is awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of Belgrade during the period September 29 - October 22, 1944, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the liberation of this city.
The medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Berlin”.
About 70,000 people were awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade.
Medal "For the Capture of Koenigsberg"
The medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945. The author of the medal project is artist A.I. Kuznetsov.
The medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of Koenigsberg in the period January 23 - April 10, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Budapest”.
About 760,000 people were awarded the medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”.
Medal "For the Defense of Moscow"
The medal “For the Defense of Moscow” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces dated May 1, 1944 on the establishment of the medal “For the Defense of Moscow.” The author of the design of the medal is the artist N. I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Moscow” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Moscow.
The medal is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad”.
The medal "For the Defense of Moscow" was awarded to approximately 1,028,600 people.
Medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad"
The medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 22, 1942. The author of the medal design is artist N. I. Moskalev
The medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Stalingrad - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The period of defense of Stalingrad is considered to be July 12 - November 19, 1942.
The medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol”.
The medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" was awarded to approximately 759,560 people.
Medal "For the Capture of Vienna"
Medal “For the Capture of Vienna” is a medal established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 9, 1945 in honor of the capture of Vienna during the Great Patriotic War.
The medal “For the Capture of Vienna” was awarded to military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - direct participants in the assault and capture of Vienna during the period March 16 - April 13, 1945, as well as the organizers and leaders of military operations during the capture of this city.
The medal “For the Capture of Vienna” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”.
The medal "For the Capture of Vienna" was awarded to approximately 277,380 people.
Medal "For the Defense of Sevastopol"
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 22, 1942. The author of the approved design of the medal is the artist N.I. Moskalev.
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Sevastopol - military personnel of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops, as well as civilians who took a direct part in the defense. The defense of Sevastopol lasted 250 days, from October 30, 1941 to July 4, 1942.
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For the Defense of Odessa”.
The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” was awarded to approximately 52,540 people.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Second World War 1941-1945"
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of June 6, 1945. The authors of the medal design are artists I.K. Andrianov and E.M. Romanov.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" were awarded:
- workers, engineering and technical personnel and employees of industry and transport;
- collective farmers and agricultural specialists;
- workers of science, technology, art and literature;
- workers of Soviet, party, trade union and other public organizations - who, with their valiant and selfless labor, ensured the victory of the Soviet Union over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For the Liberation of Prague”.
Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" approximately 16,096,750 people were awarded.
Medal "For Victory over Japan"
The medal “For Victory over Japan” was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of September 30, 1945. The author of the medal project is the artist M.L. Lukina.
The medal "For Victory over Japan" was awarded to:
- all military personnel and civilian personnel of units and formations of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who took direct part in the hostilities against the Japanese imperialists as part of the troops of the 1st Far Eastern, 2nd Far Eastern and Transbaikal fronts, the Pacific Fleet and the Amur river flotilla;
- military personnel of the central departments of the NKO, NKVMF and NKVD, who took part in supporting the combat operations of Soviet troops in the Far East.
The medal “For Victory over Japan” is worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other medals of the USSR, is located after the anniversary medal “Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.”
The total number of people awarded the medal “For Victory over Japan” is about 1,800,000 people.
Nakhimov Medal
The Nakhimov Medal is a state award of the USSR. Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces dated March 3, 1944 “On the establishment of military medals: Ushakov medals and Nakhimov medals.” By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1992 No. 2424-1, the medal was left in the system of awards of the Russian Federation until the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 No. 442 “On state awards of the Russian Federation” came into force.
The Nakhimov medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and maritime units of the border troops. In total, over 13,000 awards were given
The Nakhimov medal was designed by the architect M. A. Shepilevsky.
Ushakov Medal
The Ushakov Medal is a state award of the USSR and the Russian Federation. Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces dated March 3, 1944 “On the establishment of military medals: Ushakov medals and Nakhimov medals.” By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation dated March 2, 1992 No. 2424-1, the medal was retained in the system of state awards of the Russian Federation. Re-established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 No. 442.
The medal was made according to the design of the architect M. A. Shepilevsky.
The Ushakov Medal was awarded to sailors and soldiers, foremen and sergeants, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy and naval units of the border troops for the courage and bravery shown in defending the socialist Fatherland in maritime theaters, both in war and in peacetime.
During the war years, about 14 thousand sailors were awarded the Ushakov medal.
Badge "Guard"
“Guard” is a badge of the Red Army and the Soviet Army of the USSR Armed Forces, established on May 21, 1942.
Later, it began to be awarded to military personnel of the Guards formations of the USSR Navy.
The sign was made according to the design of the artist S.M. Dmitrieva.
Based on the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 11, 1943, this sign was also placed on the banners of armies and corps that received the title of guards.
In total, during the war, until May 9, 1945, the title of guards was awarded to: 11 combined arms and 6 tank armies; horse-mechanized group; 40 rifle, 7 cavalry, 12 tank, 9 mechanized and 14 aviation corps; 117 rifle, 9 airborne, 17 cavalry, 6 artillery, 53 aviation and 6 anti-aircraft artillery divisions; 7 rocket artillery divisions; many dozens of brigades and regiments. The Navy had 18 surface guard ships, 16 submarines, 13 combat boat divisions, 2 air divisions, 1 marine brigade and 1 naval railway artillery brigade.
LAW OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
On the establishment of the title of Hero of the Russian Federation and the establishment of a sign of special distinction - the Gold Star medal
The Supreme Council of the Russian Federation decides:
1. Establish the title of Hero of the Russian Federation to be awarded for services to the state and people associated with the accomplishment of a heroic feat.
2. For the purpose of special distinction of citizens awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, establish a sign of special distinction - the Gold Star medal.
3. Approve the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
4. Approve the description of the Gold Star medal.
President of Russian Federation
B. Yeltsin
REGULATIONS On the title of Hero of the Russian Federation
1. The title of Hero of the Russian Federation is awarded for services to the state and people associated with the accomplishment of a heroic feat.
2. The title of Hero of the Russian Federation is awarded by the President of the Russian Federation.
3. The Hero of the Russian Federation is awarded:
a sign of special distinction - the Gold Star medal;
certificate of awarding the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
4. Heroes of the Russian Federation enjoy benefits established by law.
5. The Gold Star medal is worn on the left side of the chest above orders and medals.
DESCRIPTION of the medal "Gold Star"
The Gold Star medal is a five-pointed star with smooth dihedral rays on the obverse. Beam length -15 mm.
The reverse side of the medal has a smooth surface and is limited along the contour by a protruding thin rim.
On the reverse side in the center of the medal there is an inscription in raised letters: “Hero of Russia.” letter size 4x2 mm. In the upper ray is the medal number, 1 mm high.
The medal, using an eyelet and a ring, is connected to a gilded metal block, which is a rectangular plate 15 mm high and 19.5 mm wide, with frames in the upper and lower parts.
There are slits along the base of the block; its inner part is covered with a moiré tricolor ribbon in accordance with the colors of the State Flag of the Russian Federation.
The block has a threaded pin with a nut on the reverse side for attaching the medal to clothing. The medal is gold, weighing 21.5 grams.
History of the medal.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of distinction of the Soviet period, the most honorable title in the Soviet award hierarchy. However, to call this title rare would be wrong: there were much more Heroes of the Soviet Union than gentlemen of any degree of any “commander” order.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the first award of its kind in the world. Although some countries had the concept of “national hero,” it was not an official award. After the end of the Second World War, in a number of socialist-oriented countries, by analogy with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, national highest degrees of distinction were established: “Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic” (Mongolian People’s Republic), “Hero of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic” (Czechoslovak Soviet Socialist Republic), “Hero of the People’s Republic of Belarus” ( People's Republic of Bulgaria), “Hero of Syria”, etc.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was established by the Decree of the USSR Central Executive Committee of April 16, 1934. The resolution established that “Heroes of the Soviet Union are given a special certificate.” No other attributes or insignia were introduced to the Heroes of the Soviet Union at that time.
The regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were first established on July 29, 1936. It introduced the procedure for awarding Heroes of the Soviet Union, in addition to the CEC diploma, also the Order of Lenin - the highest award of the USSR. From that moment on, all Heroes of the Soviet Union received the Order of Lenin until the abolition of the USSR in 1991. Those who were awarded the title of Hero before the release of this Resolution were also given it retroactively - there were only 11 of them.
The need for a special insignia for the State Air Force appeared three years later, when there were already 122 Heroes of the Soviet Union (two of them - pilots Levanevsky S.A. and Chkalov V.P. had died by that time, and 19 titles were awarded posthumously).
On August 1, 1939, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On additional insignia for Heroes of the Soviet Union” was issued. Articles 1 and 2 of the Decree stated: “For the purpose of special distinction of citizens awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the medal “Hero of the Soviet Union” is established, which is awarded simultaneously with the conferment of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the presentation of the Order of Lenin.” Article 3 of the Decree introduced a major change to the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union of 1936, according to which the title of Hero of the Soviet Union could be awarded only once: “A Hero of the Soviet Union who performed a secondary heroic feat ... was awarded the second medal “Hero of the Soviet Union”, and... a bronze bust is being built in the Hero’s homeland.” The presentation of the second Order of Lenin upon re-awarding was not envisaged.
The issuance of “Gold Star” medals was carried out in the order in which the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded, including to those persons who were awarded the title before the establishment of the “Gold Star” medal, and the number of the medal corresponded to the number of the certificate of the Central Executive Committee or the Presidium of the Supreme Council.
The regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in a new edition appeared on May 14, 1973, some changes were made to it by the Decree of July 18, 1980. It stated that the title of Hero of the Soviet Union “is awarded for personal or collective services to the Soviet state and society associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed.” What was new about it was that during the repeated and subsequent awards of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the medal<
yu “Golden Star”, he is awarded the Order of Lenin every time. In addition, the previous limit on the number of awards of the “Gold Star” to one person (three times) was lifted, thanks to which Brezhnev was able to become a Hero of the Soviet Union four times (Zhukov became a Hero four times in 1956, bypassing the then-current Decree of August 1, 1939).
In 1988, this provision was changed, and the procedure for awarding the Order of Lenin to a Hero of the Soviet Union was established only upon the first presentation of the Gold Star medal. There is information that after the war, the Heroes of the Soviet Union began receiving copies of the “Gold Star” medal made of base metals for everyday wear.
The author of the drawing of the “Gold Star” medal is the artist I.I. Dubasov.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was first awarded on April 20, 1934 by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR for the rescue of the polar expedition and the crew of the icebreaker “Chelyuskin” to the brave Soviet aviators M.V. Vodopyanov, I.V. Doronin, N.P. Kamanin, S.A. Levanevsky. , Lyapidevsky A.V., Molokov V.S. and Slepnev M.T. . All of them received special certificates from the Central Election Commission. In addition, they were awarded the Order of Lenin, which was not provided for by the Decree establishing the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Certificate No. 1 was awarded to A.V. Lyapidevsky. With the introduction of a special insignia, Lyapidevsky was awarded the “Golden Star” No. 1 (Order of Lenin No. 515). During the Great Patriotic War, Colonel (since 1946 - Major General) Lyapidevsky headed the aircraft plant. He was also awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War I and II degrees, two Orders of the Red Star and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Died in 1983.
The eighth GSS rank in 1934 was awarded to the outstanding pilot M.M. Gromov, who completed a record non-stop flight of 12,411 km in 75 hours. Members of his crew received only orders.
The next GSS in 1936 were pilots V.P. Chkalov, G.F. Baidukov, A.V. Belyakov, who made a non-stop flight from Moscow to the Far East.
On December 31, 1936, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was first awarded for military exploits. Eleven commanders of the Red Army - participants in the civil war in the Spanish Republic - became heroes. It is noteworthy that all of them were also pilots, and three of them were foreigners by origin: the Italian Primo Gibelli, the German Ernst Schacht and the Bulgarian Zakhari Zahariev. Among the eleven “Spanish” Heroes was Lieutenant of the 61st Fighter Squadron Chernykh S.A. In Spain, he was the first Soviet pilot to shoot down the newest Messerschmitt Bf 109B fighter. On June 22, 1941, he commanded the 9th Mixed Air Division. On the first day of the war, the division suffered huge losses (out of 409 aircraft of the division, 347 were destroyed). Chernykh was accused of criminal inaction and executed on June 27. Hero of the Soviet Union Rychagov P.V. He also received the title of GSS for his participation in Spanish events. His battle path is interesting. In the summer of 1938, during the conflict with the Japanese at Lake Khasan Rychagov, he commanded the Air Force of the Primorsky Group of the Far Eastern Front. In 1939, he was appointed commander of the 9th Army Air Force. He took part in battles in the Soviet-Finnish War, then was appointed to the Main Directorate of the Air Force. In June 1941, Rychagov was accused of treason and shot along with his wife Maria in the village of Barbysh near Kuibyshev on October 28, 1941.
For the first time in the USSR, three of the eleven “Spanish” Heroes were awarded the title of GSS posthumously. Among the three Heroes awarded the high title posthumously was Lieutenant of the Red Army Air Force Karp Ivanovich Kovtun. On November 13, 1936, Kovtun was shot down in an air battle over Madrid. The wounded pilot jumped out with a parachute, however, the wind blew him to the Franco positions. On November 15, a box containing the hero’s body was dropped by parachute onto the airfield where Kovtun’s unit was based. There was a note in the box that read, “A gift from General Franco.” The hero pilot was buried in a rural cemetery 12 km from Madrid, with Kovtun’s Spanish pseudonym “Yan” indicated on the gravestone.
In June 1937, the title of Hero was awarded to a group of people for organizing and delivering by plane to the North Pole the crew of the world's first polar drifting weather station. The heroes were the leader of the landing, Academician O.Yu. Schmidt, the head of the USSR polar aviation, M.M. Shevelev, and the head of the organized station, I.D. Papanin. and 5 pilots, including the famous Mazuruk I.P. and Babushkin M.S.
After 2 months, two more Heroes appeared - pilots Yumashev A.B. and Danilin S.A. - members of the crew of M.M. Gromov, who made a record-breaking flight from Moscow to the USA via the North Pole.
In the summer of 1937, the title of GSS was first awarded to a group of tankers led by brigade commander D.G. Pavlov. for participation in battles in Spain. Among them were lieutenants G.M. Skleznev. and Bilibin K., who were awarded the title posthumously.
During the war in Spain (1936 - 1939), the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 59 participants. Among them were two military advisers: pilot commander Smushkevich Ya.V. and infantryman captain Rodimtsev A.I. (both of them later became twice Heroes of the Soviet Union). One of the “Spanish” Heroes - Pavlov D.G., after 3 years he was already an army general, commander of the Western (Belarusian) Military District, and a year later he was shot by order of Stalin, placing all the blame on him for the failures of the Red Army in the summer of 1941 of the year.
In March 1938, the ice drift of the crew of the North Pole station, which had been engaged in scientific research for 274 days, ended. To three crew members (in addition to N.D. Papanin): E.T. Krenkel, P.P. Shirshov, and E.K. Fedorov. also awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. They were the first to receive Certificates of Heroes not on behalf of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, but from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, elected shortly before.
Soon the famous pilot Kokkinaki V.K. became a Hero. for testing aircraft and setting world flight altitude records. At the same time, several Heroes appeared, awarded the title for battles in China against the Japanese invaders. The first of them was also the pilot, commander of the aviation group F.P. Polynin.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 25, 1938, the first mass conferment of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union took place: it was awarded to 26 soldiers and commanders who took part in the battles with the Japanese invaders who invaded the territory of the USSR in the area of Lake Khasan near Vladivostok. For the first time, not only the command staff of the Red Army, but also ordinary Red Army soldiers (four out of twenty-six) became Heroes.
By decree of November 2, 1938, for the first time, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to women. Pilots Grizodubova V.S., Osipenko P.D. and Raskova M.M. were awarded for carrying out a non-stop flight from Moscow to the Far East on a Rodina aircraft over a distance of 5908 km. Two of them soon died in plane crashes. Osipenko died a year later, having shot down one of the first Heroes of the Soviet Union, pilot brigade commander A. Serov, and Raskova died in 1942, having managed to form the world’s first women’s aviation regiment before her death.
In 1939, another mass conferment of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union took place. For military exploits shown in battles with Japanese invaders on the Khalkhin Gol River on the territory of the Mongolian Republic, friendly to the Soviet Union, 70 people were awarded the title of Hero (20 of them posthumously). Among the Heroes of Khalkhin Gol there were 14 infantrymen and combined arms commanders, 27 pilots, 26 tank crews and 3 artillerymen; 14 out of 70 belonged to the junior command staff (i.e., sergeants), and only 1 was a simple Red Army soldier (Evgeniy Kuzmich Lazarev), the rest were commanders. For distinction in the battles of Khalkhin Gol, among others, commander G.K. Zhukov became heroes. and second-rank army commander G.M. Stern (was shot without trial in the fall of 1941). In addition, for Khalkhin Gol, three more soldiers became twice Heroes of the Soviet Union for the first time. All three of the first two heroes were pilots: Major S.I. Gritsevets. (Awarded the title of GSS by Decrees of February 22, 1939 and August 29, 1939), Colonel G.P. Kravchenko. (Decrees of February 22, 1939 and August 29, 1939), as well as Corporal Commander Smushkevich Y.V. (Decrees of June 21, 1937 and November 17, 1939). None of these three twice-heroes lived to see the end of the Great Patriotic War.
Gritsevets shot down 12 enemy aircraft in the sky of Khalkhin Gol. He died in a plane crash on September 16, 1939 (less than a month after the award). Kravchenko, who commanded the 22 IAP (fighter aviation regiment) at Khalkhin Gol and shot down 7 Japanese aircraft during the conflict, in 1940 became the youngest lieutenant general of the Red Army (at 28 years old). He fought well on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, commanded an air division, but on February 23, 1943, he died after jumping out of a downed plane and failing to use a parachute (his pilot cable was broken by shrapnel). Smushkevich was arrested in the spring of 1941, deprived of all awards and shot in the fall of 1941 (together with Stern and another former Hero - pilot P.V. Rychagov, awarded the title for the war in Spain).
The heroes of Khalkhin Gol became the first to receive the newly introduced insignia - the Golden Star medal.
At the beginning of 1940, a mass conferment of the title of Hero, unique in its kind, took place: “Golden Stars” were awarded to all 15 crew members of the icebreaking steamship “Georgiy Sedov”, which had been drifting in the ice of the Arctic Ocean for 812 days since 1937! Later, the awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to the entire crew of the ship or the entire personnel of the unit was never repeated, not counting three cases of awarding combined detachments during the Great Patriotic War (see below). In addition, the head of the rescue expedition on the icebreaker “I. Stalin” on removing “G. Sedov”, Hero of the Soviet Union Papanin I.D. became a Twice Hero, and it is not entirely clear why: his activities as a boss were not at all associated with a risk to his life. Papanin became the only one of the five “pre-war” twice Heroes who was not a pilot.
Following the results of the Soviet-Finnish War (winter of 1939-1940), 412 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Among those awarded for the “Finnish” war were the commander of the North-Western Front, Army Commander 1st Rank S.K. Timoshenko. and Army Commander 1st Rank G.M. Kulik, who was stripped of this rank two years later after the failures of the Red Army in Crimea. Pilot Major General Denisov S.P. for battles in Finland he received a second “Gold Star”, becoming the last of the five “pre-war” Twice Heroes. By the end of 1940, another Hero of the Soviet Union appeared - the Spaniard Ramon Mercader, awarded this title for the murder in Mexico of the “worst enemy of communism” Trotsky L.D., the former Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the RSFSR and a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks. Mercader was given the title by secret decree under someone else's name, since after his murder he was arrested and kept in a Mexican prison. Only twenty years later, after leaving prison, he was able to receive his “Gold Star”. He became the last Hero of the Soviet Union in the pre-war period.
By the end of 1940, another Hero of the Soviet Union appeared - the Spaniard Ramon Mercader, awarded this title for the murder in Mexico of the “worst enemy of communism” Trotsky L.D., the former Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the RSFSR and a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks. Mercader was given the title by secret decree under someone else's name, since after his murder he was arrested and kept in a Mexican prison. Only twenty years later, after leaving prison, he was able to receive his “Gold Star”. He became the last Hero of the Soviet Union in the pre-war period. In total, before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero was awarded to 626 people (including 3 women). By June 22, 1941, five became twice Heroes: military pilots Gritsevets S.I. (02/22/1939 and 08/29/1939), Denisov S.P. (07/04/1937 and 03/21/1940), Kravchenko G.P. (02/22/1939 and 08/29/1939), Smushkevich Ya.V. (06/21/1937 and 11/17/1939) and polar explorer I. D. Papanin (06/27/1937 and 02/03/1940). Before the war, some of the Heroes died, including Chkalov, Osipenko, Serov and twice GSS Gritsevets. Another twice Hero, Smushkevich, was under investigation as an “enemy of the people.”
The overwhelming number of Heroes of the Soviet Union appeared during the Great Patriotic War: 11,635 people (92% of the total number of people awarded this title).
During the Great Patriotic War, the first fighter pilots to be awarded the title of GSS were junior lieutenants M.P. Zhukov and S.I. Zdorovtsev. and Kharitonov P.T., who distinguished themselves in air battles with enemy bombers rushing towards Leningrad. On June 27, these pilots, using their I-16 fighters, used ramming attacks against enemy Ju-88 bombers. The title of GSS was awarded to him by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 8, 1941.
Flight commander of the 46th Fighter Regiment (IAP) of the 14th Mixed Aviation Division (SmAD), Senior Lieutenant Ivanov I.I. carried out a ramming of an enemy aircraft in the first minutes of the war. Having taken off on alert, Ivanov entered into battle with enemy aircraft in the Lutsk area. Having used up the ammunition, he used the propeller of his I-16 to damage the tail of the German He-111 bomber. The enemy plane crashed, but Ivanov also died. The low altitude prevented him from using a parachute. The title of GSS was posthumously awarded to the brave pilot by Decree of August 2, 1941. However, the primacy of the ram strike in the Great Patriotic War belongs to D.V. Kokorev. from the 124th IAP (9th SMAD). Using his MiG-3 fighter, he rammed a Ju-88 bomber near the city of Zambrów at 4 hours 15 minutes, while Ivanov carried out the ram at 4 hours 25 minutes. In total, on the first day of the war, the Red Army Air Force pilots fired 15(!) rams. Of these, only one Ivanov became a Hero of the Soviet Union.
On July 4, 1941, the commander of the 401st Special Fighter Aviation Regiment, GSS, Lieutenant Colonel Suprun S.P., covering a group of bombers, single-handedly entered into battle with six enemy fighters, was mortally wounded and died, having managed to land the damaged fighter. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 22, 1941, for courage and heroism shown in air battles with superior enemy aviation forces, Suprun S.P. was the first to be awarded the second Gold Star medal (posthumously) during the Great Patriotic War.
By decree of August 13, 1941, the title of GSS was awarded to ten bomber pilots who participated in the first raids on Berlin and other German cities. Five of them belonged to naval aviation - Colonel E.N. Preobrazhensky, captains V.A. Grechishnikov, A.Ya. Efremov, M.N. Plotkin. and Khokhlov P.I. Five more officers represented long-range aviation - Majors V.I. Shchelkunov. and Malygin V.I., captains Tikhonov V.G. and Kryukov N.V., Lieutenant Lakhonin V.I.
The first Hero of the Soviet Union in the ground forces was the commander of the 1st Moscow Motorized Rifle Division, Colonel Kreizer Ya.G. (Decree of July 15, 1941) for organizing defense along the Berezina River.
In the Navy, the title of Hero was first awarded to a sailor of the Northern Fleet, squad commander, senior sergeant V.P. Kislyakov, who distinguished himself during the landing in Motovsky Bay in the Arctic in July 1941. The title of GSS was awarded to him by the Decree of the PVS of the USSR dated 14 (according to other sources, 13) August 1941.
Among the border guards, the first Heroes were the soldiers who entered the battle on the Prut River on June 22, 1941: Lieutenant A.K. Konstantinov, Sergeant I.D. Buzytskov, Junior Sergeant V.F. Mikhalkov. They were awarded the title of GSS by Decree of August 26, 1941.
The first Hero-Partisan was the Belarusian secretary of the district party committee T.P. Bumazhkov. - commander and commissar of the partisan detachment "Red October" (Decree of the USSR PVS of August 6, 1941).
In total, in the first war year, only a few dozen people were awarded the title of Hero, and all of them in the period from July to October 1941. Then the Germans approached Moscow, and the issues of rewarding soldiers were forgotten for a long time.
The awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union resumed in the winter of 1942 after the expulsion of the Germans from the Moscow region. By decree of February 16, 1942, 18-year-old partisan Zoya Anatolyevna Kosmodemyanskaya was awarded the highest degree of distinction of the USSR (posthumously). She became the first of 87 women Heroes of the Soviet Union during the war years.
By decree of July 21, 1942, all 28 heroes - “Panfilov’s men”, participants in the defense of Moscow - became Heroes (see below). In total, as a result of the battle of Moscow, more than 100 people became Heroes.
In June of the same year, the first twice Hero of the Soviet Union appeared, both times awarded the high title during the war. He became the commander of the 2nd Guards Red Banner Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Northern Fleet, Lieutenant Colonel B.F. Safonov. (Decrees of September 16, 1941 and June 14, 1942, posthumously). He was also the first twice Hero among the soldiers of the Navy since the establishment of the title of Hero. Safonov died on May 30, 1942 while protecting an Allied convoy heading to Murmansk. During his short combat career, Safonov carried out about 300 combat sorties, shooting down 25 enemy aircraft personally and 14 in the group.
The next twice Hero of the Soviet Union during the war years was a bomber aviation pilot, squadron commander, Captain A.I. Molodchiy. (Decrees of October 22, 1941 and December 31, 1942).
In general, in 1942, the awarding of the title of Hero was almost as sparing as in 1941, not counting the aforementioned awards for participants in the Battle of Moscow.
In 1943, the first Heroes were the participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
In 1943, 9 people were awarded the title of Hero twice. Of these, 8 were pilots: 5 from fighter, 2 from attack and 1 from bomber aircraft and were awarded one Decree of August 24, 1943. Of these eight pilots, two received the first “Gold Star” in 1942, and six received both “Gold Stars” ” for several months in 1943. Among these six was A.I. Pokryshkin, who a year later became the first three times Hero of the Soviet Union in history.
During the offensive operations of the Soviet Army in the second half of 1943, military units had to overcome many water obstacles in battle. In this regard, the directive of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command dated September 9, 1943 is curious. In particular, it said:
“For crossing a river such as the Desna in the Bogdanovo region (Smolensk region) and below, and rivers equal to the Desna in terms of the difficulty of crossing, submit the following awards:
- Army commanders - to the Order of Suvorov, 1st degree.
- Commanders of corps, divisions, brigades - to the Order of Suvorov, II degree.
- Regimental commanders, commanders of engineering, sapper and pontoon battalions - to the Order of Suvorov, III degree.
For crossing a river such as the Dnieper River in the Smolensk region and below, and rivers equal to the Dnieper in terms of the difficulty of crossing the above-mentioned commanders of formations and units, the commanders of the formations and units should be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.”
In October, the Red Army crossed the Dnieper - an offensive operation in 1943. For crossing the Dnieper and displaying courage and heroism, 2,438 people received the title of Hero (47 generals and marshals, 1,123 officers, 1,268 sergeants and privates). This amounted to almost a quarter of all Heroes of the Soviet Union during the war. One of the 2438 was awarded the second “Gold Star” - the commander of the rifle division Fesin I.I., who became the first twice Hero in history not from the Air Force.
In the same year, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded for the first time to a person who was neither a soldier of the Red Army nor a citizen of the USSR. He became second lieutenant Otakar Jaros, who fought as part of the 1st Czechoslovak infantry battalion (see below).
In 1944, the number of Heroes of the Soviet Union increased by more than 3 thousand people, mostly infantrymen.
The first three times Hero of the Soviet Union was the commander of the fighter aviation division, Colonel A.I. Pokryshkin. (Decree of August 19, 1944). The commander of the fighter squadron, V.D. Lavrinenkov, attached his second Hero Star to his tunic in the summer of 1944. (awarded by Decrees of May 1, 1943 and July 1, 1944).
By decree of April 2, 1944, it was announced that the youngest Hero of the Soviet Union during the Patriotic War would be awarded (posthumously). He became 17-year-old partisan Lenya Golikov, who died in battle a few months before the Decree.
Back in 1941, during the defense of Kyiv, the commissar of the 206th Infantry Division, Regimental Commissar Oktyabrsky I.F., died heroically, having personally led the counterattack. Having learned about the death of her husband, Maria Vasilievna Oktyabrskaya vowed to take revenge on the Nazis. She entered a tank school, became a tank driver and heroically fought the enemy. In 1944, Oktyabrskaya M.V. posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1945, the awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union continued during the fighting and then for several months after Victory Day following the war. So, before May 9, 1945, 28 appeared, and after May 9 - 38 twice Heroes. At the same time, two of the twice Heroes were awarded the third “Gold Star”: the commander of the 1st Belorussian Front, Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov. (Decree of June 1, 1945) for the capture of Berlin and the deputy commander of the air regiment, Major I.N. Kozhedub. (Decree of August 18, 1945), as the most successful fighter pilot of the Soviet Air Force, having shot down 62 enemy aircraft.
In the history of the Great Patriotic War, there were unique cases when the entire personnel of a unit was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Personally, I know of only three such awards.
By decree of July 21, 1942, all fighters of the tank destroyer unit from the 1075th regiment of the 316th Infantry Division of Major General Panfilov became Heroes. 27 fighters, led by political instructor Klochkov, at the cost of their lives stopped the advanced tank units of the Germans, rushing to the Volokolamsk highway, at the Dubosekovo crossing. All of them were awarded the title posthumously, but subsequently five of them were alive and received “Gold Stars”.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 18, 1943, all soldiers of the platoon of Lieutenant P.N. Shironin were awarded the title of GSS. from the 78th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 25th Guards Rifle Division under General P.M. Shafarenko. For five days, starting on March 2, 1943, a platoon, reinforced with a 45-mm gun, defended a railroad crossing near the village of Taranovka south of Kharkov and repeated the feat of the legendary “Panfilov men.” The enemy lost 11 armored vehicles and up to a hundred soldiers. When other units approached the Shironinites to help, only six heroes survived, including the seriously wounded commander. All 25 platoon soldiers, including Lieutenant Shironin, were awarded the title of GSS.
By decree of April 2, 1945, the last in the history of the Great Patriotic War was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to the entire personnel of one unit. During the liberation of the city of Nikolaev on March 28, 1944, 67 soldiers of the landing detachment (55 sailors and 12 army men), led by senior lieutenant K.F. Olshansky, performed a heroic feat. and his deputy for political affairs, Captain A.F. Golovlev. The landing force was landed in the Nikolaev port to make it easier for the advancing troops to capture the city. The Germans threw three infantry battalions, supported by 4 tanks and artillery, against the paratroopers. Before the main forces arrived, 55 out of 67 people died in the battle, but the paratroopers were able to destroy about 700 fascists, 2 tanks and 4 guns. All dead and surviving paratroopers were awarded the title of GSS. In addition to the paratroopers, a conductor also fought in the detachment, however, he was awarded the title of Hero only 20 years later.
For the liberation of the Czech Republic, the title of GSS was awarded 88 times, for the liberation of Poland - 1667 times, for the Berlin operation - more than 600 times.
For their exploits during the capture of Koenigsberg, about 200 people were awarded the title of GSS, and the commander of the 43rd Army, Lieutenant General A.P. Beloborodov. and guard pilot senior lieutenant Golovachev P.Ya. became Twice Heroes.
For their exploits during the war with Japan, 93 people were awarded the title of GSS. Of these, 6 people became Twice Heroes:
- Commander-in-Chief of Soviet troops in the Far East, Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky;
- commander of the 6th Guards Tank Army, General Kravchenko A.G.;
- commander of the 5th Army, General N.I. Krylov;
- Air Chief Marshal A.A. Novikov;
- commander of the cavalry mechanized group, General Pliev I.A.;
- Senior Lieutenant of the Marine Corps Leonov V.N.
In total, 11,626 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for military exploits during the Great Patriotic War. 101 people were awarded two Gold Star medals. Three became three times Heroes: Zhukov G.K., Kozhedub I.N., Pokryshkin A.I. (see photo on the left).
It must be said that in 1944, Decrees were promulgated on awarding the navigator of the fighter aviation regiment, Major N.D. Gulaev. the third “Golden Star”, as well as a number of pilots with the second “Golden Star”, but none of them received awards due to the brawl they staged in a Moscow restaurant on the eve of receiving the awards. These decrees were canceled.
The former head of the operational department of the General Staff of the Soviet Army, Marshal Shtemenko, provides the following data: for exploits during the Great Patriotic War, 11,603 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (as of September 1, 1948), 98 people were awarded this honor twice, and three times - three.
Among the twice Heroes were three Marshals of the Soviet Union (Vasilevsky A.M., Konev I.S., Rokossovsky K.K.), one Chief Marshal of Aviation Novikov A.I., (a year later demoted and spent 7 years in prison until death of Stalin), 21 generals and 76 officers. There were not a single soldier or sergeant among the twice-Heroes. Seven of the 101 twice Heroes received a second Star posthumously.
Of all those awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War and the war with Japan, the largest number were ground forces - over 8 thousand (1,800 artillerymen, 1,142 tank crews, 650 sappers, more than 290 signalmen and 52 rear servicemen).
The number of Heroes - Air Force warriors was significantly smaller - about 2,400 people.
There were 513 people in the GSS Navy (including naval pilots and Marines who fought ashore).
Among the border guards, internal troops and security forces there are over 150 Heroes of the Soviet Union.
The title of GSS was awarded to 234 partisans, including S. A. Kovpak and A. F. Fedorov, who were awarded two Gold Star medals.
Among all the Heroes of the Soviet Union, 35% were privates and non-commissioned officers (soldiers, sailors, sergeants and foremen), 61% were officers and 3.3% (380 people) were generals, admirals and marshals.
In terms of national composition, the majority of Heroes were Russians - 7998 people; There were 2021 Ukrainians, Belarusians - 299, Tatars - 161, Jews - 107, Kazakhs - 96, Georgians - 90, Armenians - 89, Uzbeks - 67, Mordvins - 63, Chuvash - 45, Azerbaijanis - 43, Bashkirs - 38, Ossetians - 31, Mari - 18, Turkmens - 16, Lithuanians - 15, Tajiks - 15, Latvians - 12, Kyrgyz - 12, Komi - 10, Udmurts - 10, Estonians - 9, Karelians - 8, Kalmyks - 8, Kabardians - 6 , Adygeis - 6, Abkhazians - 4, Yakuts - 2, Moldovans - 2, Tuvans - 1 and others.
One of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, Don Cossack K. Nedorubov, is also a full Knight of St. George: he received four soldiers' St. George's Crosses during the First World War.
The titles of Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of Socialist Labor were awarded to 10 people: Brezhnev L.I., Khrushchev N.S., Ustinov D.F., Voroshilov K.E., famous pilot Grizodubova V.S., Army General Tretyak I. M., 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus P.M. Masherov, chairman of the collective farm Orlovsky K.P., director of the state farm Golovchenko V.I., mechanic P.A. Trainin.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is borne by four full holders of the Order of Glory: guard artilleryman senior sergeant Aleshin A.V., attack pilot junior aviation lieutenant Drachenko I.G., guard marine sergeant major Dubinda P.Kh., artilleryman senior sergeant N.I. Kuznetsov . The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is also held by 80 holders of the Order of Glory, II degree, and 647 holders of the Order of Glory, III degree.
Five Heroes were subsequently awarded the Order of Labor Glory, III degree: captains Dementiev Yu.A. and Zheltoplyasov I.F., foreman Gusev V.V. and Tatarchenkov P.I., senior sergeant Chernoshein V.A.
During the Great Patriotic War, more than 20 foreign citizens were awarded the title of GSS. The first of them was a soldier of the 1st Czechoslovak separate battalion, commander of the 1st company, second lieutenant (posthumously awarded the rank of captain) Otakar Jaros. He was awarded the title of Hero on April 17, 1943 posthumously for his feat near the village of Sokolovo on the left bank of the Mzha River near Kharkov in early March 1943.
Six more Czechoslovak citizens became Heroes of the Soviet Union. In the battles for the city of Ovruch in November 1943, the commander of the Czechoslovak partisan detachment, Jan Nalepka, distinguished himself. On the approaches to the station he was mortally wounded, but continued to command the detachment. By decree of May 2, 1945, Nalepka was posthumously awarded the title of GSS. The commander of the Czechoslovak submachine gunner battalion, Lieutenant Sokhor A.A., and the commanders of the tank battalions of the tank brigade of the 1st Czechoslovak Corps, Tessarzhik R.Ya., also received Gold Stars. and Burshik I., 23-year-old tank officer Vaida S.N. (posthumously). In November 1965, the legendary commander of the 1st Czechoslovak Separate Battalion (and subsequently the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps), Army General Ludwig Svoboda, was awarded the title of Hero.
Three soldiers of the Polish Army who fought against the Nazis as part of the 1st Polish Infantry Division named after became heroes of the Soviet Union. Tadeusz Kosciuszko (this division was formed in the summer of 1943 and was part of the 33rd Army). The names of the Polish heroes are Wladyslaw Wysocki, Juliusz Gübner and Anelja Krzywoń.
Four pilots of the French Normandie-Niemen air regiment, which fought against German troops on the Soviet-German front, were awarded Gold Star medals. Their names: Marquis Rolland de la Poype, his wingman Marcel Albert, Jacques Andre and Marcel Lefebvre.
The commander of the machine gun company of the 35th Guards Division, Captain Ruben Ruiz Ibarruri (son of the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Spain, Dolores Ibarruri), distinguished himself in a battle with German tanks at the Kotluban station near the village of Samofalovka near Stalingrad. He was posthumously awarded the title of GSS.
The Bulgarian general Vladimir Stoyanov-Zaimov, an anti-fascist who had republican views and was executed in 1942, became the Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the title of Hero posthumously in 1972.
The German anti-fascist patriot Fritz Schmenkel, who fought the Nazis in a Soviet partisan detachment and died in battle, also became a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the high rank posthumously on October 6, 1964.
The title of GSS was awarded extremely rarely from 1945 to 1953. In 1948, the second “Golden Star” was awarded to fighter pilot Lieutenant Colonel (later Air Marshal) A.I. Koldunov. for 46 fascist planes shot down during the war.
Among the few post-war Heroes of the Soviet Union, one should name the pilots of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps, who fought in the skies of North Korea in 1950 - 1953 against American and South Korean aces, jet test pilot P.M. Stefanovsky. and Fedotova I.E. (1948) and the head of the polar weather station “North Pole - 2” Samov M.M. (expedition 1950-1951). Such a high reward for the scientist is explained by the extreme importance of the polar expedition: it explored the possibilities of reaching the shores of America under the ice of the Arctic and, unlike the “Papanin” expedition of 1937, was deeply classified.
The second, post-war wave of repression also affected many Heroes of the Soviet Union. Three times Hero Zhukov G.K. in 1946, he was removed from his post as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Armed Forces and sent to command the secondary Odessa Military District. Hero of the Soviet Union, Fleet Admiral N.G. Kuznetsov, who spent the entire war as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, was also removed from his post and demoted in rank in 1947. Heroes of the Soviet Union Colonel General V.N. Gordov and Major General (until 1942 - Marshal of the Soviet Union) Kulik G.I. in the early 50s they were shot.
After Stalin's death, the first Heroes appeared in 1956, at the beginning of Khrushchev's “thaw”. One of the first acts was the awarding of the USSR Minister of Defense, Marshal of the Soviet Union, G.K. Zhukov in 1956. fourth “Golden Star”. There are a few points to note here. Firstly, he was formally awarded on the 60th anniversary of his birth, which was not provided for by the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Secondly, this Regulation determined the awarding of one person with only three “Gold Stars”. Thirdly, he was awarded a month after the “rebellion” in Hungary, the suppression of which by the forces of the Soviet Army he personally organized, i.e. merits in the Hungarian events were the real reason for the award.
For the suppression of the rebellion in Hungary in 1956, the title of GSS was awarded posthumously. For example, in the 7th Guards Airborne Division, out of four recipients, three received the high award posthumously.
In the same 1956, Marshal K.E. Voroshilov became Hero of the Soviet Union. (Decree of February 3, 1956). In 1968, under Brezhnev, he received a second “Star” (Decree of February 22, 1968).
Marshal Budyonny S.M. Khrushchev made him a Hero twice (Decrees of February 1, 1958 and April 24, 1963), and Brezhnev continued this tradition by awarding the 85-year-old Marshal the third “Gold Star” in 1968 (Decree of February 22, 1968).
Khrushchev awarded the title of GSS to Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and a little later to the head of the Algerian government, Ahmed Ben Bell (overthrown by his own people a year later) and the communist leader of the GDR, Walter Ulbricht.
During the Khrushchev “thaw”, for feats accomplished during the war, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to people who, under Stalin, were branded as “traitors to the Motherland” and “collaborators of the fascists” only because they had been in captivity. Justice was restored to the defender of the Brest Fortress, Major P.M. Gavrilov, the hero of the French resistance, Lieutenant A. Porik (posthumously), and the Yugoslav partisan Lieutenant M.G. Huseyn-Zade. (posthumously), holder of the Italian Resistance Medal Poletaeva F.A. (posthumously) and others. Former pilot Lieutenant Devyataev M.P. in 1945, he escaped from a fascist concentration camp by hijacking a bomber from an enemy airfield. For this feat, Stalin’s investigators “rewarded” him with a camp term as a “traitor,” and in 1957 he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1964, intelligence officer Richard Sorge became a Hero (posthumously).
On the day of the twentieth anniversary of the victory, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 9, 1965, the title of GSS was posthumously awarded to Major General Rakhimov. He was the first general to emerge from among the Uzbek people. Knight of four Orders of the Red Banner, Rakhimov S.U. commanded the 37th Guards Division and died on March 26, 1945 from a direct hit by a German shell on the divisional observation post.
Under Khrushchev, there were many cases of conferring the title of Hero for exploits in peacetime. Thus, in 1957, test pilot V.K. Kokkinaki received the second “Golden Star”. (Decree of September 17, 1957), awarded the first Hero star back in 1938 (Decree of July 17, 1938). In 1953 and 1960, his fellow test pilots S.N. Anokhin became Heroes. and Mosolov G.K.
In 1962, three sailors from the nuclear submarine Leninsky Komsomol, which made a voyage to the North Pole under the eternal ice, became Heroes: Rear Admiral A.I. Petemin, Captain 2nd Rank Zhiltsov L.M. and captain-lieutenant Timofeev R.A.
Since 1961, the tradition of awarding the title of Hero to Soviet cosmonauts began. The first of them was cosmonaut No. 1 Yu.A. Gagarin. This tradition was maintained until the abolition of the USSR - the cosmonauts became the last Heroes of the Soviet Union in 1991 (see below).
In 1964, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee N.S. Khrushchev. for his 70th birthday. To his three gold medals “Hammer and Sickle” of the Hero of Socialist Labor, a “Gold Star” medal was also added.
Brezhnev, L.I., who took his post. continued the awards. In 1965, on the 20th anniversary of the Victory, a provision on Hero Cities appeared, according to which these cities (at that time only five) and the heroic fortress of Brest were awarded the Gold Star medal and the Order of Lenin.
In 1968, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Army, Voroshilov K.E. received the second “Gold Star”, and Budyonny S.M. - third.
Under Brezhnev, Marshals S.K. Timoshenko and I.Kh. Bagramyan became Heroes twice. and Grechko A.A., and Grechko received the first “Golden Star” also in peacetime - in 1958.
In 1978, the title of Hero was awarded to the Minister of Defense D.F. Ustinov. - a man who was at the head of the People's Commissariat of Armaments during the war, but who had never been to the front. For his work during the war and peacetime, Ustinov, by the way, was already twice awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor (in 1942 and 1961).
In 1969, the first cosmonauts appeared - twice Heroes, who received both “Stars” for space flights: Colonel V.A. Shatalov. and candidate of technical sciences Eliseev A.S. They received both “Golden Stars” within one year (Decrees of January 22, 1969 and October 22, 1969).
Two years later, they were both the first in the world to make a space flight for the third time, but they were not given third “Golden Stars”: perhaps because this flight was unsuccessful and was interrupted on the second day. Subsequently, cosmonauts who made the third and even fourth flight into space did not receive the third “Star”, but were awarded the Order of Lenin.
Cosmonauts - citizens of socialist countries also became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and citizens of capitalist states who flew on Soviet technology were awarded only the Order of Friendship of Peoples.
In 1966, Brezhnev L.I., who already had the “Hammer and Sickle” gold medal, received the first “Gold Star” for his 60th birthday, and in 1976, 1978 and 1981, also on his birthdays, three more, becoming the first and only in history four times Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of Socialist Labor.
Brezhnev's successors continued to award the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to cosmonauts, as well as participants in the war in Afghanistan, which began under Brezhnev. At the same time, the future first ever vice-president of the Russian Federation, A.V. Rutskoy, became Heroes from among the “Afghans.” and the future Minister of Defense of Russia P.I. Grachev.
One of the last GSS titles in the history of the USSR was awarded by Decree of the President of the USSR of May 5, 1990. By his Decree, Mikhail Gorbachev posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to Ekaterina Ivanovna Zelenko (Gold Star medal No. 11611, Order of Lenin No. 460051). On September 12, 1941, Senior Lieutenant Zelenko rammed a German Me-109 fighter in her Su-2 bomber. Zelenko died after destroying an enemy plane. It was the only ram in aviation history performed by a woman.
By the same Decree of May 5, 1990, the title of GSS was awarded (posthumously) to the legendary submariner Marinesko A.I., who sank the German liner Wilhelm Gustlov with thousands of Nazis on board in January 1945 (for more details, see the article on the Order of the Red Banner ), the most successful female fighter Lidia Vladimirovna Litvyak (in total she destroyed 11 enemy aircraft and died in an air battle on August 1, 1943), a member of the underground organization "Young Guard" Ivan Turkenich (a political department officer of the 99th Infantry Division, Captain Turkenich was mortally wounded in Poland on the approaches to the Wisłoka River on August 13, 1944) and others - only about 30 people.
After the “putsch” of 1991, there was an obscure posthumous awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to three participants in the events who attacked an armored personnel carrier leaving the White House. By decree of August 24, 1991, Dmitry Komar, Ilya Krichevsky and Vladimir Usov posthumously received the “Golden Stars” of the Hero with numbers 11658, 11659 and 11660. The incident is that they were awarded the highest degree of distinction of the state for an attack on the troops of this very state, who were carrying out government order. In addition, an attack on retreating units cannot in any way be qualified as “committing a heroic feat,” for which, according to the Regulations, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union should be awarded.
The last cosmonaut awarded the title of GSS was Artsebarsky A.P. - commander of the Soyuz TM-13 spacecraft. Starting on May 18, 1991, Artsebarsky, together with Krikalev S.K. and the English cosmonaut H. Sharman docked with the Mir orbital station, spent over 144 days in orbit, and performed 6 spacewalks. He returned to Earth on October 10, 1991, together with T.O. Aubakirov. and the Austrian F. Viebeck. Artsebarsky was awarded the title of Hero by Decree of October 10, 1991.
The last conferment of the title of GSS in the history of the Soviet Union took place according to the Decree of December 24, 1991. The last Hero of the Soviet Union was diving specialist Captain 3rd Rank Leonid Mikhailovich Solodkov, who showed courage and heroism while carrying out a special command assignment to test new diving equipment.
154 people became twice Heroes. Of these, five were awarded a high rank even before the war, 103 people were awarded the second Star for exploits during the Great Patriotic War, 1 person (tank brigade commander Major General A.A. Aslanov) was awarded the second Star posthumously by Decree of June 21, 1991 , 1 person (Kokkinaki V.K.) was awarded for testing aircraft technology, 9 people became twice Heroes after the war in connection with various anniversaries, and 35 people received the high rank of GSS twice for space exploration.
In general, over the entire history of the USSR, 12,745 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
154 people became twice Heroes.
Three Gold Star medals were awarded to three people: Marshal of the Soviet Union Budyonny S.M. (02/01/1958, 04/24/1963, 02/22/1968), Colonel General of Aviation Kozhedub I.N. (02/04/1944, 08/19/1944, 08/18/1945) and Air Marshal A.I. Pokryshkin. (05/24/1943, 08/24/1943, 08/19/1944).
Two people were awarded four Gold Star medals: Marshal of the Soviet Union L.I. Brezhnev (12/18/1966, 12/18/1976, 12/19/1978, 12/18/1981) and Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov. (08/29/1939, 07/29/1944, 06/01/1945, 12/01/1956).
Features and varieties of the Gold Star medal.
The actual five-pointed gold star of the Hero of the Soviet Union is made of 950 gold. The reverse of the star is smooth, bordered by a convex edge, less than 1 mm wide. In the center of the reverse is the inscription “HERO OF THE USSR” in raised raised letters in two lines. A gold ring is soldered to the upper ray of the star, which serves to attach the star to the block. The block is made of silver and gilded. Red material is passed through the upper and lower slots of the block, covering the pendant block from the front side. On the reverse, the material is secured by a rectangular pressure plate and on top of this a small hex nut that screws into the base of the threaded pin. The Hero Star is attached to clothing with a round clamping nut.
Type 1. Early hanging block.
The first type of Gold Star medal (see photo on the left) was awarded from August 1, 1939 to June 19, 1943. Probably about 1,000 examples of this type were awarded. The block is rectangular, 25 mm wide and 15 mm high. The clamping nut on the reverse is small, with a diameter of 17.75 mm. The nut was marked “MONDVOR” in raised letters. The lower end of the connecting ring is threaded into the rounded ear of the golden star. The upper end of the connecting ring is soldered to the hanging block. The serial number is located horizontally on the reverse, above the inscription “HERO OF THE USSR”, at the base of the upper ray of the star. The number is made with stamped small digits (digit height 1.25 mm). The minimum known star number is 133, the maximum is 717.
Type 2. Late hanging block.
The second type of Gold Star medal (see photo on the left) was awarded from June 19, 1943 until the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The block has an almost square shape. Pad width 26 mm, height 21.5 mm. The round-shaped clamping nut has a diameter of 18.5 mm and the mark “MINT” in raised letters. The lower end of the connecting ring is threaded into the rounded eye of the golden star, and the upper end is threaded into the hole on the pendant block. Thus, unlike the first type, the connecting ring was not soldered to the suspension block, but was a free element. The number is made with stamped numbers 1.75 mm high. The location of the room is similar to the previous type. The minimum known star number is 1355, the maximum is 11660.
Medal “Gold Star” re-awarded.
When the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded the second Gold Star medal, he was awarded a star that was practically no different in appearance from the star of the first award. The only difference was the presence of a stamped Roman numeral II located directly above the serial number of the re-award star. It should be noted that the re-award stars had their own numbering, starting with number 1.
Documentation.
Along with the Gold Star medal and the Order of Lenin, the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded a set of documents. It included a special Certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (Big Certificate), Certificate of a Hero of the Soviet Union (Small Certificate) and a Book of Order. The Great Certificate was presented in a thick red folder.
When the “Gold Star” medal was re-awarded, the cavalier was presented with a Certificate from the USSR PVS of a slightly different type. The text of the Certificate noted the fact of the construction of a bronze bust in the homeland of the twice Hero.