Awards and Decorations
Order of Victory
USSR top military order was established simultaneously with the well-known “soldier” Order of Glory on November 8, 1943. Designed on Stalin’s initiative, it was initially called “For Allegiance to Motherland”.
Order of the Red Star
This is one of the first Soviet orders and the second combat decoration by the time of establishment. It bears the same name as the symbol of the Red Army which has existed since 1918.
Order of the Patriotic War
This Order has never been extremely rare or too expensive. Nevertheless, its story and conditions under which a person could have been decorated with it made it particularly remarkable.
Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky
This is the last Soviet order to bear the name of a war general. It is also the only order to mention the merits of partisan fighters in its Statute.
Order of Glory
This order was approved on April 8, 1943 – same day with the top “chieftain” Order of Victory. This one was intended to be used for decorating soldiers and sergeants, therefore it has been put to the bottom of the decorations system. Nevertheless, despite such modest place in the orders hierarchy and very short life (it has only been issued for one and a half years), the Order of Glory became extremely popular among the Red Army fighters, and its holders enjoyed their well-deserved respect among people.
Medal for Bravery
This medal has been established to decorate warriors for personal bravery and courage displayed while defending the Motherland and carrying out military duties.
«Patriotic War Partisan» Medal
This medal which had two degrees was given to partisans, leaders of partisan parties, initiators of partisan movements who displayed courage, persistence, and bravery in partisan warfare in fascist invaders’ rear.
Medal of the Gold Star
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was considered top degree of distinction and was bestowed for personal or group merits before the Soviet state and society that referred to heroic deeds.
