Medals & Awards

Gold Star of a "Hero of the Soviet Union"

Honorary title established 16 April 1934 with the Gold Star medal instituted 1 August 1939, by Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet. Awarded to both military and civilian personnel for personal or collective deeds of heroism rendered to the USSR or socialist society. Recipients of this award simultaneously receive the Order of Lenin, and a Diploma of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet. May be awarded more than once to an individual, in which case the recipient would receive a second awarding of the Gold Star medal, but would not receive a second Order of Lenin. In place of this second awarding of the Order of Lenin, the recipient would have a sculptural bust built in the town of their birth. Approximately 12,600 people were awarded more than once. The awarding of this medal more than once was abolished by the USSR Supreme Soviet in 1988. The medal is made of Gold, the other parts are silver, covered in Gold. Special privileges were also granted to holders of this title. These included a pension with survivor benefits in case of Hero's death, first priority on the housing list, 50 per cent rent reduction, reduced taxation rates (in 1985 this was changed to tax exempt status), up to an additional 15 square meters in living space, free yearly round-trip first class ticket, free personal bus transportation, free yearly visit to sanitarium or rest home, as well as entertainment and medical benefits.

Gold Star of a Hero of Socialist Labour

The Gold Star medal "Sickle and Hammer" was instituted by a Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet, 22 May 1940. It was instituted to distinguish citizens who were honored with the title of "Hero of Socialist Labor" which had been officially awarded since 1938. The title of "Hero of Socialist Labor" was given for heroic achievements in labor such as significantly increasing production efficiency, and for successful implementation of methods and techniques which furthered the development of the State economy, science and culture. Recipients of this award simultaneously receive the Order of Lenin, and a Diploma of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet. It could be awarded several times to an individual, however in 1988, it was restricted to a one time only award. The first title of "Hero of Socialist Labor" was awarded to Josef Stalin, in 1939. Medal No. 1 was given to him in celebration of his 60th birthday. Approximately 20,500 were awarded with this medal, 180 twice, and 16 three times.The medal is made of Gold, the other parts are silver, covered in Gold. Special privileges were also granted to holders of this title. These included a pension with survivor benefits in case of Hero's death, first priority on the housing list, 50 per cent rent reduction, reduced taxation rates, up to an additional 15 square meters in living space, free yearly round-trip first class ticket, free personal bus transportation, free yearly visit to sanitarium or rest home, as well as entertainment and medical benefits. It has been awarded over 19,000 times.

Order of Lenin

Highest national decoration of the Soviet Union. Established 6 April 1930. Awarded to civilians for outstanding services rendered to the State, to members of the armed forces for exemplary service, and to recipients of the titles of Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of Socialist Labor. Also awarded to factories, cities, regions, and republics. Originally, this award was very highly regarded. Nikita Khrushchev was the 110th person to receive the award in 1935 for supervision of the excavation of the Moscow Metro.

Order of the Red Banner

Established 1 August 1924.This was the first Soviet order. Awarded to military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy who display exceptional courage, self-denial, and valor during combat. The Order of the Red Banner originally appeared in 1918, as the Order of the Red Banner of the Russian Federation. The award was offered to citizens of the Republic for exceptional military service. Other Soviet Republics followed Russia and issued their own version of the award. Azerbaijan was the first with the Order of the Red Banner of the Azerbaijan SSR. After the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922, the country's all-union military decoration became the Order of the Red Banner. Earlier awards distributed by each of the Soviet Republics were allowed to be kept by their recipients. It was decided these awards had great historic significance as they were awarded during the Civil War, and served as reminders of heroic events.

The Order of the Red Banner has been awarded to various Soviet naval units for exemplary service in wartime. The Baltic Fleet was cited for its role in the Revolution of 1917, and all four fleets (Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific) and the Caspian Naval Flotilla were cited for their service in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). The Baltic Fleet is formally referred to as the Twice-Honored Red Banner Baltic Fleet.

Order of Suvorov 3rd Class

Established 29 July 1942. Awarded to regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, and battalion and company commanders for outstanding leadership, organizational ability, and perseverance leading to decisive victory in battle.

Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class

Established 8 February 1943. Awarded to regimental, battalion, and company commanders and to regimental chiefs of staff for initiative displayed in combat operations which inflict severe losses on an enemy as the result of a sudden and daring attack.

Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky

2nd Class-Established 10 October 1943. Awarded to corps, division, brigade, and regimental commanders; to their deputies and chiefs of staff; and to commanders of partisan unit formations, their deputies, and chiefs of staff for outstanding merit.

3rd Class-Established 10 October 1943. Awarded to officers up to battalion commander in the armed forces and to equivalent regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, and battalion and company commanders for outstanding leadership, organizational ability, and perseverance leading to decisive victory in battle.

Order of Alexander Nevsky

Established 29 July 1942. Awarded to division, brigade, regiment, battalion, company, and platoon commanders for personal and skillful command of their units in action.

Since there were no portraits of Alexander Nevsky, the bust on the medallion is that of actor Nikolai Cherkassov who played the part of Alexander Nevsky in a film about the hero. The award has been issued to over 42,165 officers and to 1,470 army units.

Order of the Patriotic War

1st Class - Established 20 May 1942. Awarded to officers and enlisted men of the armed forces and security troops and to partisans, irrespective of rank, for skillful command of their units in action.

2nd Class - Established 20 May 1942. Awarded to officers and enlisted men of the armed forces and security troops and to partisans, irrespective of rank, for lesser personal valor in action.

Order of the Red Star

Established 6 April 1930. Awarded to ground forces or naval personnel of all ranks and collectively to units for outstanding service in defense of the Soviet Union in both peace and war. Until the Irreproachable Service medals were established, Orders such as the Order of the Red Star were used as length of service awards.

Order of Glory 1st, 2nd & 3rd classes

Established 8 November 1943. Awarded to noncommissioned officers of the ground forces and to air force personnel up to and including the rank of junior lieutenant for "glorious deeds" while on active service. The Order is awarded consecutively, meaning in order to win the 2nd Class Order, the recipient must have first received the 3rd Class. The 1st Class award also had the stipulation that the person be listed for outstanding performance in specific combat exploits. A person being awarded all three classes of the Order were known as Cavaliers of the Order of Glory. The 1st Class award has been awarded over 2,582 times, 2nd Class 46,362 times, and 3rd Class 948,260 times.

Medal for Combat Service

Established 17 October 1938. awarded to personnel of all ranks in the Army, Navy, Border Troops and Ministry of Internal Affairs troops for exceptional conduct in battle resulting in the successful execution of a battle task by the military division; for personal courage shown in defence of USSR borders; for excellence in military and political training; and for mastering new warfare techniques and technology. Citizens as well as foreigners were also eligible for this award. This award could be received more than once. Approximately 3,300,000 were issued.

Medal of Nakhimov

Established 3 March 1944. Awarded to marines, soldiers, sergeants, petty officers and warrant officers of the Soviet Navy and marine divisions of Frontier troops for valor and gallantry displayed in sea battles. Could also be awarded to non-navy personnel who with efficient and resourceful actions at the risk of their lives, contributed to the successful outcome of combat missions involving USSR Naval warships and other units. The medal was named in honor of the famous Russian Naval commander, Admiral Pavel Nakhimov. This medal could be received more than once. Approximately 14,000 were issued.

Medal for Valiant Labor

Established 27 December 1938. Also known as the "Medal for Labor Heroism". Awarded to laborers who have heroically dedicated themselves towards the construction of a socialist society; demonstrated a complete understanding of equipment in order to provide a high level of efficiency; and for those who have made significant contributions in the areas of science, manufacturing, and culture. Ranks above the medal for Distinguished Labor. Citizens as well as foreigners were eligible for this award. It is made of silver. Approximately 2,300,000 were issued

Order of the Badge of Honour

Established 25 November 1935. Awarded on an individual or collective basis for contributions in all spheres of national life, including national defense. The early 1935 version is smaller than the later 1936 version. The 1935 order measures 39mm high and 28mm wide. The 1936 version measures 46mm high and 33mm wide. The serial numbers of the Type 1 Variation 1 appear to be stamped. They are not. They are hand engraved and this variation has been observed only twice. The Order of Honour has been awarded 400 times.

Voroshilov Marksman Badge, 2nd Level

The Voroshilov Marksman badge was established in the mid 1930's as an award in recognition of the best sharpshooters. It was awarded as two levels, 1st level and 2nd level, with the 2nd level being the highest. The award is named for hero of the Russian civil war Klimet Yefremovich Voroshilov, a staunch Stalinist, who was a Marshall of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War.

The badge was awarded to riflemen, especially snipers in the RKKA and NKVD forces, but also to tank men, artillery men, and pilots, among others. One of the first pilots to receive the 2nd Level Marksman badge was twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Boris Safonov as recognition for his exceptional results in combat.

Dumbass of the Month Award

This award is given to the pilot who has been a real dumbass that month. It is awarded at the end of the month and is awarded via nomination. It can be awarded only once per month, but there is no limit to how many times a pilot can be presented with this award. It can be awarded for such things as shooting down a friendly aircraft, or getting hopelessly lost in a mission, or anything like that, so long as it's really dumb!!