Collectibles must and always belong to a memorable era. The Great Patriotic War belongs precisely to such eras and the awards that were awarded to the most courageous defenders of our Motherland will always be in value, and over the years their value will only increase. Orders and medals of the Great Patriotic War are collectibles for citizens of different countries; their value today according to the catalog on the black market in some cases exceeds the cost of a new car.
Some regalia, even if produced in large quantities, have their own history and as a result their cost is significantly higher than the catalog average, but such cases are quite rare. We decided to publish a list of orders and medals of the Great Patriotic War and their value today in Russia. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, prices for such orders and medals are lower, therefore, in order not to mislead site visitors, we will publish prices in rubles that are relevant for Russia and for the so-called “black market”, because the circulation of these awards is not officially permitted . Remember this when trying to both buy and sell orders and medals. In more understandable terms, never do this.
The cost of orders and medals of the Great Patriotic War
1. Order "Victory"
Description: A pentagonal star surrounded by diamonds is the most expensive award today not only in Russia, but also in the world. The order is made of silver, gold and platinum and inlaid with diamonds and rubies.Price: According to experts, its value today on the black market exceeds 20 million US dollars. All existing orders of this type are permanently stored in state museums and storage facilities.
2. Order of Suvorov (1st class)
Description: a convex five-pointed star with Suvorov’s profile and diverging rays. It was awarded to commanders of the Red Army for outstanding achievements in command and control of troops.Price: from $25,000
3. Order of Kutuzov (1st class)
Description: a convex five-pointed star, the surface in the form of diverging rays. This order is made of gold and silver and represents an image of Kutuzov’s profile.Price: from $22,000
4. Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1st class)
Description: weight 42 grams, made of gold and silver. Weight 42 grams. A total of approximately 323 units were completed. Awarded for fearless actions to both officers and soldiers of the Great Patriotic War.Price: from 25,000 dollars.
5. Order of Ushakov (1st degree)
Description: Made from platinum, gold and silver. In the central part of the five-pointed star with diverging rays is the face of Admiral Ushakov. It is the “naval analogue” of the Order of Suvorov. Very rare - only 47 units produced. Only officers were awarded this order.Price: from $250,000.
6. Order of Nakhimov (1st degree)
Description: 10-pointed star with diverging rays and anchors at the ends of 5 of them. Contains gold, silver, 5 rubies. awarded to Navy officers.Price: from $150,000
7. Order of the Patriotic War (1st class)
Description: diameter - 45 mm, composed of gold and silver. One of the most common awards for WWII. In total, approximately 2,860,000 units were issued.Price: suspended - from 1000 dollars, screw - from 200 dollars
8. Order of the Red Star
Description: weight 33.3 grams, made of silver.Price: from 750 to 15,000 dollars.
9. Order of Alexander Nevsky
Description: junior, but one of the smallest circulation among the awards for awarding the commander of the Red Army.Price: from 1500 to 7000 dollars
10. Order of Glory (1st class)
Description: diameter 46 mm, execution - gold.Price: from 500 to 8000 dollars, depending on the date of issue and condition.
11. Order of Lenin
Description: 31.3 grams, material - gold and platinum.Price: from 1000 to 50,000 dollars. The rarest is the so-called “tractor” on a propeller; in total, about 800 pieces were produced.
12. Order of the Red Banner
Description: Height - 40 mm, width - 36.3 mm, made of gilded silver. About 1.5 million units were produced in different variations.Price: from 120 to 3500 dollars
13. Medal "Gold Star"
Description: A five-pointed gold star with smooth dihedral rays on the front side. material - 950 gold. Persons who achieved the highest degree of distinction - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union - were awarded.Price: from 8000 dollars
14. Medal "Ushakov"
Description: material - silver, weight - 28 grams. Sailors, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy were awarded.Price: from 1500 to 3500 dollars
15. Medal "Nakhimov"
Description: medal with the profile of Admiral Nakhimov, made of bronze. Sailors, midshipmen and warrant officers of the Navy were awarded.Price: from 1200 to 2200 dollars
16. Medal "For Courage"
Description: weight - 25.8 grams, material - silver.Price: from 50 to 1000 dollars.
17. Medal “For Victory over Germany”
Description: made of brass. Persons who took direct part in hostilities and in work to support the front were awarded.Price: from 20 dollars
18. Medal “For the Capture of Berlin”
Price: from 20 dollars19. Medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus”
Price: from 20 dollars20. Medal “WWII Partisan” (1 a.)
Price: from 200 to 1000 dollars21. Medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw”
Price: from 20 dollars22. Medal "For Military Merit"
Price: from 90 to 600 dollars23. Medal “For the Defense of the Arctic”
Price: from 80 dollars24. Medal “For the Capture of Budapest”
Price: from 60 dollars25. Medal “For the Defense of Kyiv”
Price: from 50 to 600 dollars26. Medal “For the Defense of Leningrad”
Price: from 20 dollars27. Medal “For the Liberation of Prague”
Price: from 40 dollars28. Medal “For the Defense of Odessa”
Price: from 400 dollars29. Medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade”
Price: from 300 to 900 dollars30. Medal “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”
Price: from 20 dollars31. Medal “For the Defense of Moscow”
Price: from 20 dollars32. Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”
Price: from 20 dollars33. Medal “For the Capture of Vienna”
Price: from 100 dollars34. Medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol”
Price: from 500 dollarsEstablished by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 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.
STATUTE OF THE ORDER
The Order of the Patriotic War is 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 Order of the Patriotic War is awarded by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Order of the Patriotic War consists of two degrees: I and II degrees. The highest degree of the order is I degree. The degree of the order to which the recipient is awarded is determined by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
- who accurately hit and destroyed a particularly important object behind enemy lines;
- who courageously performed their duties as an aircraft crew during a combat mission, for which the navigator or pilot was awarded the Order of Lenin;
- heavy bomber aircraft - 4 aircraft;
- long-range bomber aviation - 5 aircraft;
- short-range bomber aviation - 7 aircraft;
- attack aircraft - 3 aircraft;
- fighter aviation - 3 aircraft.
- heavy bomber aviation - 20th successful combat mission;
- long-range bomber aviation - 25th successful combat mission;
- short-range bomber aviation - 30th successful combat mission;
- attack aviation - 25th successful combat mission;
- fighter aviation - 60th successful combat mission;
- long-range reconnaissance aviation - 25th successful combat mission;
- short-range reconnaissance aviation - 30th successful combat mission;
- spotter aviation - 15th successful combat mission;
- communications aviation - the 60th successful combat sortie with a landing on its territory and the 30th successful combat sortie with a landing in the area where friendly troops are located in territory occupied by the enemy;
- transport aviation - the 60th successful combat sortie with a landing on its territory and the 15th successful combat sortie with a landing in the area where friendly troops are located in territory occupied by the enemy.
- who organized clear and continuous management of aviation units;
- who organized the clear and systematic work of the headquarters;
- who managed to restore the damaged aircraft that made an emergency landing on enemy territory and release it into the air;
- who managed to recover at least 10 aircraft at a forward airfield under enemy fire;
- who, under enemy fire, managed to remove all supplies from the airfield and, having mined it, did not allow the enemy to land planes there;
- who personally destroyed 2 heavy or medium, or 3 light tanks (armored vehicles) of the enemy, or as part of a gun crew - 3 heavy or medium, or 5 light tanks (armored vehicles) of the enemy;
- who suppressed at least 5 enemy batteries with artillery fire;
- who destroyed at least 3 enemy aircraft with artillery fire;
- who, being a member of a tank crew, successfully completed 3 combat missions to destroy enemy firepower and manpower or destroyed at least 4 enemy tanks or 4 guns in battles;
- who, under enemy fire, evacuated from the battlefield at least 3 tanks knocked out by the enemy;
- who, despising danger, was the first to break into the enemy bunker (trench, trench or dugout), decisively destroyed his garrison and gave our troops the opportunity to quickly capture this line;
- who, under enemy fire, built a bridge, repaired a crossing destroyed by the enemy; who, under enemy fire, on instructions from the command, personally blew up a bridge or crossing in order to delay the enemy’s movement;
- who, under enemy fire, established a technical or personal connection, corrected technical means of communication destroyed by the enemy, and thereby ensured the continuity of control of the combat operations of our troops;
- who, during a battle, personally threw a gun (battery) into an open position and shot the advancing enemy and his equipment at point-blank range;
- who, commanding a unit or unit, destroyed an enemy of superior strength;
- who, participating in a cavalry raid, cut into an enemy group and destroyed it;
- who captured an enemy artillery battery in battle;
- who, as a result of personal reconnaissance, identified the weak points of the enemy’s defenses and led our troops behind enemy lines;
- who, as part of the crew of a ship, aircraft or combat crew of a coastal battery, sank a warship or two enemy transports;
- who organized and successfully landed an amphibious assault on enemy territory;
- who, under enemy fire, withdrew his damaged ship from the battle;
- who captured and brought an enemy warship to his base;
- who successfully laid a minefield on the approaches to enemy bases;
- who successfully ensured the combat activity of the fleet by repeated trawling;
- who, by successfully eliminating damage in battle, ensured the restoration of the ship’s combat capability or the return of the damaged ship to base;
- who perfectly organized the logistical support for the operation of our troops, which contributed to the defeat of the enemy.
- who courageously performed his duties as an aircraft crew during a combat mission, for which the navigator or pilot was awarded the Order of the Red Banner;
- who shot down in an air battle while being part of the crew:
- heavy bomber aircraft - 3 aircraft;
- long-range bomber aviation - 4 aircraft;
- short-range bomber aviation - 6 aircraft;
- attack aircraft - 2 aircraft;
- fighter aviation - 2 aircraft.
- who committed, while being a member of the crew:
- heavy bomber aviation - 15th successful combat mission;
- long-range bomber aviation - 20th successful combat mission;
- short-range bomber aviation - 25th successful combat mission;
- attack aviation - 20th successful combat mission;
- fighter aviation - 50th successful combat mission;
- long-range reconnaissance aviation - 20th successful combat mission;
- short-range reconnaissance aviation - 25th successful combat mission;
- spotter aviation - 10th successful combat mission;
- communications aviation - the 50th successful combat sortie with a landing on its territory and the 20th successful combat sortie with a landing in the area where friendly troops are located in territory occupied by the enemy;
- transport aviation - the 50th successful combat sortie with a landing on its territory and the 10th successful combat sortie with a landing in the area where friendly troops are located in territory occupied by the enemy.
- who managed to restore, master and use a captured captured aircraft in combat conditions;
- who managed to restore at least 5 aircraft at a forward airfield under enemy fire;
- who personally destroyed 1 heavy or medium, or 2 light tanks (armored vehicles) of the enemy with artillery fire, or as part of a gun crew - 2 heavy or medium, or 3 light tanks (armored vehicles) of the enemy;
- who destroyed enemy fire weapons with artillery or mortar fire, ensuring the successful actions of our troops;
- who suppressed at least 3 enemy batteries with artillery or mortar fire;
- who destroyed at least 2 enemy aircraft with artillery fire;
- who destroyed at least 3 enemy firing points with his tank and thereby contributed to the advancement of our advancing infantry;
- who, being a member of the crew of a tank, successfully completed 3 combat missions to destroy enemy fire weapons and manpower or destroyed at least 3 enemy tanks or 3 guns in battles;
- who, under enemy fire, evacuated 2 tanks that had been knocked out by the enemy from the battlefield;
- who destroyed an enemy tank on the battlefield or behind enemy lines with grenades, combustible bottles or explosive packages;
- who, while leading a unit or unit surrounded by the enemy, defeated the enemy, withdrew his unit (unit) from the encirclement without losing weapons and military equipment;
- who made his way to enemy firing positions and destroyed at least one enemy gun, three mortars or three machine guns;
- who at night removed the enemy's guard post (watch, secret) or captured it;
- who shot down one enemy plane with personal weapons;
- who, fighting against superior enemy forces, did not give up an inch of his positions and caused great damage to the enemy;
- who organized and maintained, in difficult combat conditions, continuous communication between the command and the troops leading the battle, and thereby contributed to the success of the operation of our troops;
- who, being part of the crew of a ship, aircraft or combat crew of a coastal battery, disabled or damaged a warship or one enemy transport;
- who captured and brought enemy transport to their base;
- who, by timely detection of the enemy, prevented an attack on a ship or base;
- who ensured the successful maneuvering of the ship, as a result of which the enemy ship was sunk or damaged;
- who, with skillful and precise work, ensured the successful combat operation of the ship (combat unit);
- who organized uninterrupted logistics support for the unit, formation, army and thereby contributed to the success of the unit, formation.
The Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, is worn by the recipient on the right side of the chest and is located after the Order of Alexander Nevsky.
The Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, is worn on the right side of the chest and is located after the Order of the Patriotic War, I degree.
The badge of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, is an image of a convex five-pointed star, covered with ruby-red enamel against a background of gold rays, diverging in the form of a five-pointed polished star, the ends of which are placed between the ends of the red star. In the middle of the red star is a gold image of a hammer and sickle on a ruby-red round plate, bordered by a white enamel belt, with the inscription “PATRIOTIC WAR” and with a gold star at the bottom of the belt. The red star and white belt have gold rims. Against the background of the rays of a golden star, the ends of a rifle and a checker are depicted, crossed behind a red star. The butt of the rifle is facing down to the right, the hilt of the checker is facing down to the left. Images of the rifle and checkers are oxidized.
The badge of the Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, in contrast to the Order of the I degree, is made of silver. The lower radiant star is polished. The image of the rifle and saber is oxidized. The remaining parts of the order that are not covered with enamel are gilded.
The badge of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, is made of gold (583) and silver. The gold content in the first degree order is 8.329±0.379 g, the silver content is 16.754±0.977 g. The total weight of the first degree order is 32.34±1.65 g.
The badge of the Order of the 2nd degree is made of silver. The gold content in the second degree order is 0.325 g, the silver content is 24.85 ± 1.352 g. The total weight of the second degree order is 28.05 ± 1.50 g.
The applied hammer and sickle in the center of the order are made of gold on both degrees of the order.
The diameter of the circumscribed circle (the size of the order between the opposite ends of the red and gold or silver stars) is 45 mm. The length of the rifle and checker images is also 45 mm. The diameter of the central circle with the inscription is 22 mm.
On the reverse side, the badge has a threaded pin with a nut for attaching the order to clothing.
The ribbon for the order is silk, moiré, burgundy color with longitudinal red stripes:
- for grade I - with one strip in the middle of the tape, 5 mm wide;
- for degree II - with two stripes along the edges, each 3 mm wide.
The Order of the Patriotic War is the first award that appeared during the Great Patriotic War. This is also the first Soviet order that had a division into degrees. For 35 years, the Order of the Patriotic War remained the only Soviet order passed on to the family as a memory after the death of the recipient (the remaining orders had to be returned to the state). Only in 1977 the order of leaving in the family was extended to other orders and medals.
On April 10, 1942, Stalin instructed the head of the rear of the Red Army, General Khrulev, to develop and present a draft order for awarding military personnel who distinguished themselves in battles with the Nazis. Initially, the order was planned to be called “For Military Valor.” The artists Sergei Ivanovich Dmitriev (author of the drawings of the medals “For Courage”, “For Military Merit” and the 20th anniversary of the Red Army) and Alexander Ivanovich Kuznetsov were involved in the work on the project of the order. Within two days, the first sketches appeared, from which several works were selected for the production of test copies in metal. On April 18, 1942, samples were submitted for approval. It was decided to take the project of A. I. Kuznetsov as the basis for the future award, and the idea of the inscription “Patriotic War” on the sign was taken from the project of S. I. Dmitriev.
For the first time in the history of the Soviet award system, the statute of the order listed specific feats for which a distinguished person could be nominated for an award.
The feat of pilot Gastello, who directed a downed plane into a concentration of enemy armored vehicles, is well known. The commander of the bomber crew of the 207th Air Regiment of the 42nd Bomber Air Division, Captain Gastello N.F., was posthumously awarded the title of GSS for this feat. The Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, was posthumously awarded to the crew members who, together with their commander, committed the famous fiery ram: lieutenants A. A. Burdenyuk, G. N. Skorobogaty and senior sergeant A. A. Kalinin.
The Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, was awarded to 7 military units and 79 enterprises and institutions, including 3 newspapers: “Komsomolskaya Pravda” (1945), “Youth of Ukraine” and the Belarusian “Zvyazda” (1945). In 1945, the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, was awarded to industrial enterprises that made a significant contribution to the defeat of the enemy. The Ural Heavy Engineering Plant named after. S. Ordzhonikidze, Gorky Automobile Plant, Gorky Shipbuilding Plant "Krasnoe Sormovo" named after. Zhdanova,
In total, until 1985, more than 344 thousand awards were made with the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree (of which 324,903 awards were made during the war years), with the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree - about 1 million 28 thousand awards (of which during the war years - 951,652 awards) .
The anniversary version of the Order of the 1st degree was awarded to about 2 million 54 thousand, the 2nd degree - about 5 million 408 thousand awards.
The total number of awards with the Order of the Patriotic War (both combat and anniversary versions) as of January 1, 1992 was 2,487,098 for the 1st degree and 6,688,497 for the 2nd degree.
Three main types of the Order of the Patriotic War can be distinguished.
Type 1.
From the moment of its establishment on May 20, 1942 until the appearance of the Decree of June 19, 1943 “On approval of samples and descriptions of ribbons for orders and medals of the USSR and rules for wearing orders, medals, ribbons and insignia,” the first type of the Order of the Patriotic War was produced.
The actual badge of the order had an eyelet in the upper ray of the star into which a connecting ring was threaded. This ring, in turn, was attached to a rectangular block covered with red fabric. The block had slot-like frames in the upper and lower parts. On the reverse side of the block there was a threaded pin and a round nut for attaching the order to clothing.
Type 2.
The decree of June 19, 1943 established the procedure for wearing star-shaped orders, not on a block, but on pins on the right side of the chest. At the same time, due to the sharp increase in the number of orders of the USSR and the number of awards, the wearing of stripes with ribbons was introduced instead of orders on everyday and field uniforms.
The second type of the Order of the Patriotic War did not have a hanging block. On the reverse side of the order's badge there was a soldered threaded pin and a rounded screw-on nut for attaching the order to clothing.
Order 1st class
The actual badge of the order consists of three parts. The first, main part is a five-pointed enamel star with a round platform in the middle and the inscription “Patriotic War”. The first part is made of silver. The second part is the underlying five-pointed radiant (shtralovaya) gold star with a crossed saber and rifle on it. The fineness of the gold star is 583. The third part is a gold sickle and hammer superimposed on the central round platform of the enamel star. The fourth part can be considered a hanging block with a silver threaded pin and a nut for fastening.
On the reverse, the gold star has a round hole with a diameter of 16.5 mm. The outer silver part of the order is visible through the hole. It is in this hole, on the silver star, that two rivets are located (holding the hammer and sickle). There is no mintmark on the reverse of the sign. The order number is located on the reverse of the gold star (at 7 o'clock on the dial). The number is made by hand and is located diagonally from top to bottom. The block has a round clamping nut with a diameter of 25 mm. The nut has the “MINT” mark, made in raised letters in two lines.
All Orders of the Patriotic War, 1st class, Type 1, were produced at the Krasnokamsk Mint (KMD).
The eyelet in the upper ray of the star was part of the order and was never attached by soldering. All signs with soldered ears are fakes.
- Option 1: The hanging block is approximately 32mm wide and approximately 18mm high. There is no connecting link between the order and the block. A wire is soldered to the hanging block, which passes through the eye of the sign and then bends towards the reverse. On the reverse, a pin is vertically soldered to the star for additional fastening of the order to clothing (soldered at the 12 o'clock position on the dial). The minimum known order number is 10, the maximum is 617.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, Type 1, Option 1 (enamel on the upper ray restored)
- Option 2. The hanging block has a length of 32 mm and a height of 21.5 mm. The block is attached to the sign using a connecting link. The pin for additional fastening is placed similarly to the previous option. The minimum known number is 1945, the maximum is 7369.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, Type 1, Option 2
- Option 3. There is no pin for additional fastening. With the exception of the absence of a pin, this option is similar to the previous one. The minimum known number is 5421, the maximum is 23901.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, Type 1, Option 3
Type 2. Pin fastening.
The actual badge of the order consists of three parts (similar to the first type). The fourth part can be considered a round clamping nut with a diameter of 33 mm. There are no inscriptions on the nut. The hole in the golden star has a larger diameter compared to the first type and is not continuous. The hole is divided into equal segments by three gold bridges that connect in the center of the hole, around a threaded pin. The gold and silver stars are secured together using a small hex nut located at the base of the pin. Two small rivets on the reverse of the silver star hold the hammer and sickle in place. The MINT mark is located on the gold star, above the threaded pin (at 12 o'clock on the dial). The stamp is made in horizontal stamped letters. The order number is printed on a gold star, below the threaded pin (at 6 o'clock). The number is made manually with a graver and is located horizontally.
- Option 1. The “MINT” stamp is located on one line. Gold bars in the central hole of the reverse are located at 2, 6 and 10 o'clock on the dial. The minimum known number is 23972, the maximum is 242059.
The width of the order is 50.4 mm. The height of the order is 51.5 mm.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class. Type 2, Option 1
- Option 2. The “MINT” stamp is located on one line. Gold bars in the central hole of the reverse are located at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock on the dial. The minimum known number is 137431, the maximum is 238805. Also noted are numbers 276471 and 276715, which are noticeably out of the general number range and are probably exceptions.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class. Type 2, Option 2
- Option 3. The “MINT” stamp is located in two lines. Gold bars in the central hole of the reverse are located at 2, 6 and 10 o'clock. The minimum known number is 242898, the maximum is 327053.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class. Type 2, Option 3
- Option 4. The “MINT” stamp is located in two lines. Gold bars in the central hole of the reverse are located at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock. The minimum known order number is 242997, the maximum is 276258.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class. Type 2, Option 4
DUPLICATES AND RE-ISSUES.
If a recipient loses his order (medal), it is, as a rule, not replaced. In place of a lost award, a Duplicate can be issued only as an exception - if it is lost in a combat situation, lost as a result of a natural disaster, or under other circumstances when the recipient could not prevent this loss. On the reverse side of the duplicate order (medal) the number of the lost award is reproduced with the addition of the letter “D”. This letter can be applied either by stamping or using a stamping pen. On some duplicates, the letter “D” may be missing. The digits of the duplicate number are usually small in size and stamped. However, on some early duplicates, the numbers were applied using a pen. To make some duplicates, already numbered but not awarded orders were used, with the number removed and the number of the lost award applied. In other cases, they used blanks of orders or medals that had not yet received a serial number. The dependence of various marking methods on the year the duplicate was issued is currently not fully clarified. It is likely that the letter “D” may have been missing on early duplicates.
Over time, Soviet orders and medals significantly changed their appearance. Thus, the first type of Order of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, and the Badge of Honor differs significantly from subsequent types of these awards. A number of pin orders in the process of their evolution acquired a pendant block (Order of Lenin, Red Banner, Red Banner of Labor, Badge of Honor). Other orders, on the contrary, lost the hanging block and began to be attached with a screw (Order of the Patriotic War, land military orders). Thus, at a certain point in time, a previously issued order may not correspond to the current description and order of wearing. First of all, this concerned career military personnel. For them, the rules for wearing military uniforms and awards were very strictly regulated by the relevant governing documents. Instead of the earlier type of order, a new award was issued that corresponded to the current description. This award is called Reissue. Replacement, as a rule, is made while maintaining the serial number indicated in the order book. Two major stages of reissues can be distinguished. The first occurred in the second half of the 30s and affected the Order of Lenin “Tractor”, the Labor Banner “Triangle” and a small version of the Badge of Honor. The second, larger wave of reissues took place after the Great Patriotic War. Then the orders were replaced in accordance with the June 1943 decree. For example, all participants in the Victory Parade were required to receive new awards.
Reissue of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
Duplicate Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, letter D missing
Duplicate of the Order of the 1st degree, the letter D is present
Order of the 2nd class
Type 1. Badge of the order on the block.
The actual badge of the order consists of three parts. The first, main part is a five-pointed enamel star with a round platform in the middle and the inscription “Patriotic War”. The first part is made of silver. The second part is the underlying five-pointed star with a crossed sword and rifle on it (unlike the first degree order, this part is also made of silver). The third part is a gold sickle and hammer superimposed on the central round platform of an enamel star. The fourth part can be considered a hanging block with a pin and nut for fastening.
On the reverse, the silver star has a round hole with a diameter of 16.5 mm. The inside of the enamel star is visible through the hole. It is in this hole, on the silver enamel star, that two rivets are located (holding the hammer and sickle). There is no mintmark on the reverse of the sign. The number of the order is located on the reverse of the star and is made by hand with a graver. The block has a round clamping nut with a diameter of 25 mm. The nut has the “MINT” mark, made in raised letters in two lines.
Orders of the Patriotic War, II degree, were produced by the Krasnokamsk Mint (KMD) and the Moscow Mint (MMD).
- KMD, Option 1. Orders of this version were produced at the Krasnokamsk Mint (KMD) for a short time. The pendant block is approximately 32mm wide and approximately 18mm high and the threaded pin is made of silver. There is no connecting link between the order and the block. A wire is soldered to the hanging block, which passes through the eye of the sign and then bends towards the reverse. On the reverse, a pin is vertically soldered to the star for additional fastening of the order to clothing (soldered at the 12 o'clock position on the dial). The order number is located at 7 o'clock on the dial diagonally from top to bottom. The minimum known order number is 1, the maximum is 2350.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, KMD, Option 1
- KMD, Option 2. Orders of this variant were produced at KMD. The pendant block has a length of 32 mm and a height of 21.5 mm, the threaded pin is made of silver. The block is attached to the sign using a connecting link. The pin for additional fastening is placed similarly to the previous option. The order number is located at 7 o'clock on the dial diagonally from top to bottom. The minimum known order number is 2816, the maximum is 13979.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, KMD, Option 2
- KMD, Option 3. Orders of this variant were produced at KMD. There is no pin for additional fastening. With the exception of the absence of a pin, this option is similar to the previous one. The minimum known order number is 13268, the maximum is 32653.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, KMD, Option 3
- MMD, Option 1. Orders of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, have been issued by the Moscow Mint (MMD) in batches since February 1943. According to V. A. Durov, the first batch of Orders of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, produced at MMD, began with number 3701. The first option is characterized by fastening the strala star to the enamel star by means of three rivets located at 12, 5 and 7 o'clock on the dial. Orders issued at the MMD are characterized by a right-sided location of the serial number (at 3 o'clock on the dial). The minimum known number is 3702, the maximum is 3968.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, MMD, Option 1
- MMD, Option 2. It differs from the previous version in the absence of rivets on the reverse of the star star. In the MMD orders of the second version, the shral star was attached to the enamel star by soldering. The serial number is stamped on the right side of the star (instances with the number positioned at 3 o'clock on the dial or at 5 o'clock on the dial are marked). The minimum known number is 3782, the maximum is 7073.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, MMD, Option 2
- MMD, Option 3. According to V. A. Durov, the third version of the Second World War, Type 1, produced on the MMD, was in the number range 35001-35712. We know of the orders with the numbers 35498, 35500, 35521, 35537, 35539, 35555, 35591, 35606, 35627, 35662 and 35698. The numbers on these orders were applied on the reverse of the cross star horizontally at 6 o'clock on the dial. Among the marked numbers there are both signs with a pin fastening of the star star, and with fastening by soldering. On a number of signs fastened by soldering, markings for rivets are visible, which on some of them was removed by stripping the metal.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, MMD, Option 3
- MMD, Option 4. The fourth version of the hanging orders of the Patriotic War, II degree, produced at MMD, had serial numbers in the region of 60 thousand. The minimum known number of the order is 60002, the maximum is 61401. The serial number on all of these signs is printed diagonally from bottom to top at 5 o'clock on the dial. The threaded pin on the suspension block is made of bronze.
Order of the Patriotic War, II degree, Type 1, MMD, Option 4
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 defend 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, approximately 759,560 people had been awarded the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad.”
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 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" 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 "Voenmekh", 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, 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: 55mm
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: 46mm
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.
In preparing this page, materials from the following sites were used:
We have been keeping the memory of the Great War of the 20th century and its heroes for more than 70 years. We pass it on to our children and grandchildren, trying not to lose a single fact or surname. Almost every family was affected by this event; many fathers, brothers, husbands never returned. Today we can find information about them thanks to the painstaking work of military archives staff and volunteers who devote their free time to searching for soldiers’ graves. How to do this, how to find a WWII participant by last name, information about his awards, military ranks, place of death? We could not ignore such an important topic, we hope that we can help those who are looking and want to find.
Losses in the Great Patriotic War
It is still unknown exactly how many people left us during this great human tragedy. After all, the counting did not begin immediately; only in 1980, with the advent of glasnost in the USSR, historians, politicians, and archive staff were able to begin official work. Until this time, scattered data that were beneficial at that time were received.
- After celebrating Victory Day in 1945, J.V. Stalin said that we had buried 7 million Soviet citizens. He spoke, in his opinion, about everyone, both about those who died during the battle and about those who were taken prisoner by the German occupiers. But he missed a lot, did not say about the rear employees who stood at the machine from morning until night, falling dead from exhaustion. I forgot about the sentenced saboteurs, traitors to the motherland, ordinary residents and siege survivors of Leningrad who died in small villages; missing persons. Unfortunately, they can be listed for a long time.
- Later L.I. Brezhnev provided different information, he reported 20 million dead.
Today, thanks to the decoding of secret documents and search work, the numbers are becoming real. Thus, you can see the following picture:
- Combat losses received directly at the front during battles amount to about 8,860,400 people.
- Non-combat losses (from illnesses, wounds, accidents) - 6,885,100 people.
However, these figures do not yet correspond to complete reality. War, and even this kind of war, is not only the destruction of the enemy at the cost of one’s own life. These are broken families - unborn children. This is a huge loss of the male population, thanks to which it will not soon be possible to restore the balance necessary for good demography.
These are diseases, hunger in the post-war years and death from it. This is rebuilding the country again, again in many ways, at the cost of people’s lives. All of them also need to be taken into account when doing calculations. All of them are victims of terrible human vanity, whose name is war.
How to find a participant in the Great Patriotic War 1941 - 1945 by last name?
There is no better memory for the stars of victory than the desire of the future generation to know. The desire to save information for others, to avoid such repetition. How to find a WWII participant by last name, where to find possible information about grandfathers and great-grandfathers, fathers who took part in battles, knowing their last name? Especially for this purpose, there are now electronic repositories that everyone can access.
- obd-memorial.ru - here contains official data containing reports of units about losses, funerals, trophy cards, as well as information about rank, status (died, was killed or disappeared, where), scanned documents.
- moypolk.ru is a unique resource containing information about home front workers. The very ones without whom we would not have heard the important word “Victory”. Thanks to this site, many have already been able to find or help find lost people.
The work of these resources is not only to search for great people, but also to collect information about them. If you have any, please report it to the administrators of these sites. In this way, we will do a great common cause - we will preserve memory and history.
Archive of the Ministry of Defense: search by last name of WWII participants
Another one is the main, central, largest project - https://archive.mil.ru/. The documents preserved there are mostly isolated and remained intact due to the fact that they were taken to the Orenburg region.
Over the years of work, CA staff have created an excellent reference apparatus showing the contents of archival accumulations and funds. Now its goal is to provide people with access to possible documents through electronic computing technology. Thus, a website has been launched where you can try to find a military man who participated in the Second World War, knowing his last name. How to do it?
- On the left side of the screen, find the “memory of the people” tab.
- Indicate his full name.
- The program will give you the available information: date of birth, awards, scanned documents. Everything that is in the files for a given person.
- You can set a filter on the right, selecting only the sources you want. But it's better to choose everything.
- On this site it is possible to look at military operations on a map and the path of the unit in which the hero served.
This is a unique project in its essence. There is no longer such a volume of data collected and digitized from all existing and available sources: card indexes, electronic memory books, medical battalion documents and command directories. In truth, as long as such programs and the people who provide them exist, the memory of the people will be eternal.
If you didn’t find the right person there, don’t despair, there are other sources, maybe they’re not as large-scale, but that doesn’t make them any less informative. Who knows in which folder the information you need might be lying around.
Participants of the Second World War: search by last name, archive and awards
Where else can you look? There are more narrowly focused repositories, for example:
- dokst.ru. As we said, those who were captured also became victims of this terrible war. Their fate may be displayed on foreign websites like this one. Here in the database there is everything about Russian prisoners of war and the burials of Soviet citizens. You only need to know the last name, you can look at the lists of captured people. The Documentation Research Center is located in the city of Dresden, and it was he who organized this site to help people from all over the world. You can not only search the site, but also send a request through it.
- Rosarkhiv archives.ru is an agency that is an executive authority that keeps records of all government documents. Here you can make a request either online or by telephone. A sample electronic appeal is available on the website in the “appeals” section, left column on the page. Some services here are provided for a fee; a list of them can be found in the “archive activities” section. With this in mind, be sure to ask whether you will need to pay for your request.
- rgavmf.ru - a naval reference book about the destinies and great deeds of our sailors. In the “orders and applications” section there is an email address for processing documents left for storage after 1941. By contacting the archive staff, you can get any information and find out the cost of such a service; most likely it is free.
WWII awards: search by last name
To search for awards and feats, an open portal has been organized, dedicated specifically to this www.podvignaroda.ru. Information is published here about 6 million cases of awards, as well as 500,000 unawarded medals and orders that never reached the recipient. Knowing the name of your hero, you can find a lot of new things about his fate. The posted scanned documents of orders and award sheets, data from registration files, will complement your existing knowledge.
Who else can I contact for information about awards?
- On the website of the Central Election Commission of the Ministry of Defense, in the section “Awards are looking for their heroes”, a list of awarded soldiers who did not receive them was published. Additional names can be obtained by phone.
- rkka.ru/ihandbook.htm - encyclopedia of the Red Army. It published some lists of the assignment of senior officer ranks and special ranks. The information may not be as extensive, but existing sources should not be neglected.
- https://www.warheroes.ru/ is a project created with the aim of popularizing the exploits of the defenders of the Fatherland.
A lot of useful information, which sometimes is not found anywhere, can be found on the forums of the above sites. Here people share valuable experiences and tell their own stories that can help you too. There are many enthusiasts who are ready to help everyone in one way or another. They create their own archives, conduct their own research, and can also be found only on forums. Don't shy away from this type of search.
WWII veterans: search by last name
- oldgazette.ru is an interesting project created by ideological people. A person who wants to find information enters data, it can be anything: full name, name of awards and date of receipt, line from a document, description of an event. This combination of words will be calculated by search engines, but not just on websites, but in old newspapers. Based on the results, you will see everything that was found. Maybe this is where you will be lucky, you will find at least a thread.
- It happens that we search among the dead and find among the living. After all, many returned home, but due to the circumstances of that difficult time, they changed their place of residence. To find them, use the website pobediteli.ru. This is where people searching send letters asking for help in finding their fellow soldiers, random encounters during the war. The project's capabilities allow you to select a person by name and region, even if he lives abroad. If you see it on these lists or similar, you need to contact the administration and discuss this issue. Kind, attentive staff will definitely help and do everything they can. The project does not interact with government organizations and cannot provide personal information: telephone number, address. But it is quite possible to publish your search request. More than 1,000 people have already been able to find each other this way.
- 1941-1945.at Veterans do not abandon their own. Here on the forum you can communicate, make inquiries among the veterans themselves, perhaps they have met and have information about the person you need.
The search for the living is no less relevant than the search for dead heroes. Who else will tell us the truth about those events, about what they experienced and suffered. About how they greeted victory, the very first, the most expensive, sad and happy at the same time.
Additional sources
Regional archives were created throughout the country. Not so large, often standing on the shoulders of ordinary people, they have preserved unique single records. Their addresses are on the website of the movement to perpetuate the memory of the victims. And:
- https://www.1942.ru/ - “Seeker”.
- https://iremember.ru/ - memories, letters, archives.
- https://www.biograph-soldat.ru/ - international biographical center.
On the eve of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Tyumen is actively decorated with attributes and symbols of Victory. Photographs of orders and awards of the Great Patriotic War were placed on the facade of one of the city's hotels. And we were interested in the question - what types of military awards were given to soldiers of the Red Army, militias, and partisans who showed massive heroism on the fields of war.
In the first year of hostilities, soldiers and commanders of the Red Army were awarded orders and medals established in pre-war times. These were the Order of the Red Banner, the Red Star, the Gold Star, For Courage, and For Military Merit medals.
Order of the Red Banner- one of the highest awards in the Soviet Union.
Initially, it was approved as the Order of the Red Banner of the RSFSR, and in nineteen twenty-four, as a single Order of the Red Banner of the USSR for all union republics. The order is worn on the left side of the chest. It was awarded to both military personnel (recipients of the Order of the Red Banner), as well as enterprises, organizations, military units, ships, union republics, settlements and regions. In this case they were called “Red Banners”. When awarded again, the order was replaced by a similar one, but with a number at the bottom indicating how many times the award was issued.
According to the Great Military Encyclopedia website, about fifteen people are seven-time Knights of the Order of the Red Banner, more than fifty are six-time Knights, and about three hundred and fifty are five-time Knights. Holders of several orders are the commanders and heroes of the Great Patriotic War, Marshal Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny, Konstantin Rokossovsky, hero pilot Ivan Kozhedub.
A total of 581,300 awards were held. The award is not being presented at this time.
Order of the Red Star established in April one thousand nine hundred and thirty as an award for significant services in the defense and security of the USSR in peacetime and war. It was awarded to military personnel, state security officers, civilians, military units, as well as foreign citizens who particularly distinguished themselves in battles against the enemies of Soviet power. Initially, the order was worn on the left side of the chest, and from June forty-three - on the right, after the Order of the Patriotic War, II degree.
The first holder of the Order of the Red Star in the history of the Great Patriotic War, according to the Russian Awards website, was junior sergeant Dmitry Belovol, a gunner-radio operator of a bomber: being wounded, he shot down three German planes. In total, during the war, almost three million people, one thousand seven hundred and forty formations of the Soviet Army and Navy, and fourteen foreign military units from Czechoslovakia and Poland became owners of the order.
In nineteen thirty-nine, a decree of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union was signed on a new insignia for citizens awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for particularly heroic deeds - Gold Star medals Hero of the Soviet Union. The hero was awarded a set of awards: the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. In case of repeated awarding of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union - a second Gold Star medal, but without the Order of Lenin. The Roman numeral I, II, III, IV on the medal indicated the time the Hero was awarded. The first recipient of this medal was pilot Anatoly Lyapidevsky, Hero of the Soviet Union, and the first foreigner awarded was Czech officer Otakar Jaros (posthumously).
During the war years, more than eleven thousand people received the Gold Star medal. Three times the winners of the award were pilots Ivan Kozhedub and Alexander Pokryshkin, Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Budyonny. Four times - Marshal Georgy Zhukov.
The Gold Star medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to Timofey Charkov, Khamit Neatbakov, Nikolai Khokhlov, Ivan Beznoskov, Roman Novopashin, Nikolai Fedorov. Names of heroes of the Soviet Union.
In the post-war period, the medal was received mainly by astronauts. The award is not being presented at this time.
In the same year it was founded The order of Lenin. It was awarded for outstanding achievements and exceptional services to the Fatherland (not only military, but also labor, diplomatic, political and social) to both individuals and enterprises, military units, warships, settlements and even individual territories of the Soviet Union. This award was included in the set of badges issued when conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The award is not being presented at this time.
One of our fellow countrymen Petr Alekseevich Babichev was awarded the Order of Lenin. Pyotr Alekseevich commanded a reconnaissance platoon, fought at Stalingrad, and liberated Hungary. For his heroism he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, Babichev was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, three Orders of the Red Star, and medals. He was buried in 1993 on the Alley of Heroes of the Chervishevsky cemetery in Tyumen. One of the new streets in the Tyumen village of Kazarovo is named after Pyotr Alekseevich Babichev.
One of the most honorable Soviet soldier awards established in nineteen thirty-eight is Medal of Honor"- is a state award of the Soviet Union, Russian Federation and Belarus. The medal was awarded mainly to privates and sergeants (less often junior officers) of the Red Army, Navy, border and internal troops for personal courage, bravery and courage shown in defending the Fatherland and performing military duty. The first to receive this award were in October one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, border guards Nikolai Egorovich Gulyaev and Boris Fedorovich Grigoriev for the battle at Lake Khasan.
During the Great Patriotic War, the awarding of the medal "For Courage" became widespread - more than four million people were awarded for their exploits. The youngest among them is six-year-old Seryozha Aleshkov, a member of the 142nd Infantry Regiment, who received a medal for saving the commander. Many Soviet soldiers were awarded the medal several times.
The last military award of the Soviet Union, which existed even before the start of the Great Patriotic War, was the medal "For military merit". “Military Review” writes that this government award was established on October seventeenth, nineteen thirty-eight. Red Army soldiers, Red Navy soldiers, border guards and soldiers of internal troops, as well as other citizens of the USSR and persons who are citizens of other states could be nominated for this award. The medal was awarded for active assistance in the successful conduct of combat operations, as well as strengthening the combat readiness of units. Until June one thousand nine hundred and forty-one, the medal “For Military Merit” was received by more than twenty-one thousand people, during the years of the Great Patriotic War - more than three million people.
Medals "For Courage" And "For military merit" became the most popular military awards. They were awarded mainly immediately after the battle, since the right to award during the war belonged to the commanders of regiments of all branches of the military.
During the Great Patriotic War, significant changes took place in the USSR award system, necessary in order to recognize the heroism and courage of soldiers, officers and civilians. The first order, established in May one thousand nine hundred and forty-two, was Order of the Patriotic War two degrees. The order was awarded to military personnel of all branches of the military, including partisan detachments, for bravery, perseverance and courage in battles with invaders or assistance in conducting combat operations.
The badge is worn on the right side of the chest. Cavaliers of the two degrees wear them on the right, in order of seniority of the degrees.
In total, during the years of the Great Patriotic War, more than three hundred thousand people were awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the first degree, and about one million people of the second degree. The award was received by military units, military schools, defense enterprises and cities: Novorossiysk, Orel, Belgorod, Kursk, Rostov-on-Don, Feodosia and others. The award is not being presented at this time.
In Tyumen, one of the holders of the Order of the Patriotic War is Yakov Nikolaevich Neumoev, a native of the village of Troshino, Uvat district, Tyumen region. During the war, he commanded a squadron of the twenty-eighth guards regiment of the sixth guards cavalry division. He was wounded seven times, but returned to duty. He particularly distinguished himself in the battles near Vitebsk. Neumoev's squadron, holding the heights for several days, repelled an attack by superior enemy forces of three hundred infantrymen and eight tanks, thereby paralyzing the movement of the Nazis along the Nevel-Gorodok highway. Yakov Nikolaevich celebrated Victory Day in Germany and took part in the Victory Parade.
Yakov Nikolaevich was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, the Order of the Red Star, many medals, and was marked with a silver saber from Budyonny (now the saber is kept in the museum complex named after I.Ya. Slovtsov in Tyumen) . In nineteen seventy-five, Yakov Neumoev was awarded the title “Honorary Citizen of the City of Tyumen,” and in two thousand and two, a square in the area of the Tyumen Fair exhibition center was named after the hero.
On July twenty-ninth, one thousand nine hundred and forty-two, a Decree of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union was issued on the establishment of new awards named after the great Russian commanders: Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov, Alexander Nevsky, Bogdan Khmelnitsky. When developing the orders, artists turned to pre-revolutionary traditions both in the image and in the rules for wearing awards. These orders were awarded to the commanders of the Red Army and Navy for battles with the Nazis and for leadership of military operations.
Order of Suvorov has three degrees of seniority (the highest degree is first). The order is worn on the right side of the chest. The first awards of the Order of Suvorov took place in January one thousand nine hundred and forty-three. Twenty-three generals of the Red Army received the order, including Commander-in-Chief Georgy Zhukov, Colonel General Alexander Vasilevsky and others. Among the recipients were military leaders of the Allied armies. Currently, the award is presented as an Order of the Russian Federation.
Order of Kutuzov I, II, III degrees. Seventeen military leaders became the first holders of the Order of Kutuzov in January 1943. If the Order of Suvorov was awarded primarily for offensive operations, then the Order of Mikhail Kutuzov was awarded for defensive and headquarters operations. Badge number one was awarded to Ivan Vasilyevich Galanin for his skillful command and control of the troops of the Twenty-Fourth Army of the Don Front during the defense of Stalingrad.
During the war years, six hundred seventy-five Orders of Kutuzov, 1st degree, three thousand three hundred and twenty-five orders of the 2nd degree (including more than five hundred military formations and units were awarded), three thousand three hundred and twenty-eight Orders of Kutuzov, 3rd degree (including more than a thousand - connections and parts). More than 100 officers of foreign armies received the Order of Kutuzov of various degrees. Currently, the award is presented as an Order of the Russian Federation.
Unlike the orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov, Order of Alexander Nevsky has no degrees. This is the “junior” order of the above awards. When the order was approved, it was assumed that it would be awarded to unit commanders from regiment to platoon. Awarding the Order of Alexander Nevsky to commanders of regiments, brigades, and divisions was rare, because senior officers and generals were awarded military awards of a higher rank (Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov). During the war years, more than forty thousand people were awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky. The Order could be awarded several times. The highest number of awards was three.
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky- the fourth and last among all military orders of the USSR. It was established last - in nineteen forty-three, during the days of the liberation of the territory of Ukraine by Soviet troops. This order was awarded not only to commanders of army and navy units operating at the front, but also to privates and non-commissioned officers of army units.
In February one thousand nine hundred and forty-three, a decree was signed on the establishment Medals "Partisan of the Patriotic War" I and II degrees to award partisans (2nd degree medal), commanders and political workers of partisan detachments and organizers of the partisan movement (1st degree medal) who showed courage, tenacity and courage in the partisan struggle in occupied territory behind enemy lines during the Great Patriotic War.
To reward the command staff of the Soviet fleet, they founded Orders of Ushakov and Nakhimov. Both orders had two degrees.
The Order of Ushakov is the highest naval order of the Soviet Union. The order was awarded to officers for outstanding achievements in the development, conduct and support of naval active operations, resulting in victory in battles over a numerically superior enemy.
The Order of Nakhimov, 1st degree, is the only one of all Soviet orders (with the exception of the Order of Victory) that was decorated with precious stones: five large synthetic rubies. The Order of Nakhimov is the second and last of the naval orders of the Soviet Union. They were awarded for outstanding success in the development, conduct and support of naval operations, as a result of which significant damage was inflicted on the enemy, but their main forces were preserved.
The first holder of the Order of Nakhimov in May one thousand nine hundred and forty-four became Pyotr Alekseevich Morgunov for a complex of military operations to liberate Sevastopol. In total, more than 500 sailors and several combat units of the USSR Navy were awarded the Order of Nakhimov. Currently, the award is presented as an Order of the Russian Federation.
The state award for junior army commanders was Order of Glory I, II, III degrees. The order was awarded for heroism on the battlefields, starting from November one thousand nine hundred and forty-three until the summer of one thousand nine hundred and forty-five. The first full holders of the Order of Glory were sapper Mitrofan Pitenin and intelligence officer Konstantin Shevchenko. Among the full gentlemen there are four brave women: sniper Nina Petrova, machine gunner Stanielene, nurse Matryona Nozdracheva and air gunner-radio operator Nadezhda Zhurkina.
A full holder of the Order of Glory is our fellow countryman, a native of the Yarkovsky district of the Tyumen region Boris Tanygin. In nineteen hundred and three, Boris volunteered for the front, mastered the course of a young fighter in the one hundred and forty-ninth army reserve rifle regiment, and was wounded twice. He received his awards for courage and perseverance in battles, for crossing the Oder River. When securing the western bridgehead, Tanygin's mortar crew destroyed the enemy's firing point, which was holding back the advance of the rifle regiment, including an enemy cannon, four machine guns, and several dozen Nazis. A street in the Lesobaza area is named after Boris Konstantinovich Tanygin.
As an exception, only once in the entire history of the war was the entire first battalion (soldiers and sergeants) of the 215th Guards Regiment awarded with the Order of Glory after a successful assault on enemy fortifications on the Vistula River. And after some time, the battalion itself received this award, which began to be called the Glory Battalion. The award is not being presented at this time.
The highest military order is Order "Victory", established simultaneously with the Order of Glory. The order was awarded to senior command personnel for the successful conduct of military operations on the scale of one or several fronts. The Order of Victory is one of the rarest and most beautiful awards in the world; There are only 20 copies of this order badge, states the federal magazine “Senator”.
The first holders of the Order were Georgy Zhukov, Alexander Vasilevsky, Joseph Stalin for the liberation of right-bank Ukraine. All three were nominated for this award again in 1945. The highest award was also awarded to Marshals I.S. Konev, K.K. Rokossovsky, R.Ya. Malinovsky, F.I. Tolbukhin, L.A. Govorov, S.K. Timoshenko, General A.I. Antonov. And in nineteen forty-five, 5 foreign citizens became holders of the order: Eisenhower Dwight, Montgomery Bernard, Mihai Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Michal Rolya-Žimerski, Josip Broz Tito.
The Order of Victory was awarded to Leonid Brezhnev in nineteen seventy-eight, and ten years later the award was canceled as contrary to the statute of the order (after the death of Leonid Ilyich). In addition to these awards, there are a number of medals that were awarded to soldiers and commanders of the Red Army for the defense of cities of the Soviet Union, for the capture of enemy cities, and the liberation of foreign states. These are the medals “For the Defense of Leningrad”, “For the Defense of Moscow”, “For the Defense of Kiev”, “For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945”, “For the Capture of Budapest”, “For the Capture of Berlin”, “For liberation of Prague" and others.
In total, ten orders and twenty-one medals were established during the war years. More than seven million people received awards, more than eleven thousand received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Golden Star medal.
Every year there are fewer and fewer veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War who can tell the current generation, who grew up in carefree peacetime, the truth about the horrors of that war. But there are still caring people who strive to bring the memories of eyewitnesses of the war to us. On the NashGorodRU portal, user Holtoff films and posts videos about Tyumen veterans.
