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The Medal for Courage in a Fire

The Medal for Courage in a Fire was awarded Soviet citizens for courage and bravery in extinguishing fires or saving lives or state.

The Medal for Courage in a Fire (or Медаль «За отвагу на пожаре», Medal «Za otvagu na pozhare» in Russian) was established on 30 October 1957 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded all Soviet citizens for courage and bravery in extinguishing fires or saving lives/state or private property from fire or for preventing explosions and fires.

The Medal “For Courage in a Fire” was awarded to members of the fire service, members of volunteer fire brigades, the military, and other citizens:

  • for courage, bravery and selflessness displayed during fire fighting, during the rescue of people and the protection of socialist or private property from fire;
  • for the leadership of firefighting units employed in fire protection, in firefighting or in rescue operations;
  • for bravery, courage, and perseverance displayed in order to prevent an explosion or fire.

Each medal came with an attestation of the award, this attestation came in the form of a small 8 cm by 11 cm cardboard booklet bearing the award’s name, the recipient’s particulars, and an official stamp and signature on the inside.

The medal’s statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X. It ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union and replaced in 1994 by the Russian Federation’s Medal “For Life Saving” and by ministerial-level awards.

The Medal for Courage in a Fire Design

The medal was circular, originally struck in silver (then silver-plated nickel) with a raised rim on both sides, and measured 32 millimeters in diameter.

On the obverse in the center, the relief image of crossed fire ax and adjustable wrench below a five-pointed star. At the bottom, the relief image of the hammer and sickle over laurel and oak branches, along the side and upper circumference, the relief inscription «ЗА ОТВАГУ НА ПОЖАРЕ» (“FOR COURAGE IN A FIRE”). On the reverse, in the background and to the right, a two-storied house on fire, along the left circumference, a laurel branch, at the forefront and to the left, the relief image of a helmeted firefighter carrying a child.

The medal was secured to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount by a ring through the medal suspension loop. The mount was covered by a 24 mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with 3 mm wide blue edge stripes bordered on both sides by 1 mm white stripes.

The Veteran of Labor Medal

The Veteran of Labor Medal was established in 1974 and awarded to deserving state workers at retirement to honor workers for hard work.

The Veteran of Labor Medal (or Медаль «Ветеран труда», Medal «Veteran truda» in Russian) was established on 18 January 1974 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to deserving state workers at retirement to honor workers for many years of hard work in the national economy, sciences, culture, education, healthcare, government agencies, and public organizations.

The medal was awarded to workers, farmers, and employees in recognition of their lifelong labor on reaching the seniority required for a long-service pension or retirement age. Recommendations for the award were made jointly by administrators of Party and trade union organizations, enterprises, institutions, and organizations based on nominations from working groups or workforce councils. Award ceremonies of the Medal “Veteran of Labor” usually took place in the work place of the recipients.

Although it only had a relatively short eighteen years of existence, it was awarded nearly forty million times. Its regulations were detailed and approved by decree number 5999-VIII of May 20, 1974. The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The Veteran of Labor Medal Design

The medal was designed by artist SA Pomansky. It’s circular, struck in tombac and then silver-plated and oxidized, and measured 34 millimeters in diameter.

The obverse bears the relief image of the hammer and sickle over the inscription «СССР» (“USSR”) with diverging rays, a laurel branch spans the width of the obverse from right to left passing under the sickle’s handle in an upward curve, along the lower and right circumference, a ribbon bearing the relief inscription «ВЕТЕРАН ТРУДА» (“VETERAN OF LABOUR”). The otherwise plain reverse bears the inscription on four lines «ЗА ДОЛГОЛЕТНИЙ ДОБРОСОВЕСТНЫЙ ТРУД» (“FOR LONG DILIGENT WORK”).

The Medal “Veteran of Labor” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide overlapping silk moiré ribbon with 1 mm wide white edge stripes and colored from left to right by a 7 mm wide dark grey stripe, an 8 mm wide light grey stripe, and three 2 mm wide red stripes separated by two 0.5 mm wide white stripes.

The Medal for the Salvation of the Drowning

The Medal for the Salvation of the Drowning was awarded for courage, bravery and selflessness whilst rescuing a person/people from water.

The Medal for the Salvation of the Drowning (or Медаль «За спасение утопающих», Medal «Za spasenie utopayushchikh» in Russian) was established on 16 February 1957 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to any person (of any nationality) for courage, bravery, and selflessness whilst rescuing a person/people from water or for outstanding vigilance and resourcefulness preventing drowning or for excellence in organizing of rescue operations in Soviet waters or of Soviet citizens.

Each medal came with an attestation of award, this attestation came in the form of a small 8 cm by 11 cm cardboard booklet bearing the award’s name, the recipient’s particulars and an official stamp and signature on the inside.

Its statute was twice amended by further decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on August 1, 1967 and lastly on July 18, 1980. The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union and replaced in 1994 by the Russian Federation’s Medal “For Life Saving“.

The Medal for the Salvation of the Drowning Design

The medal is circular and struck in oxidized brass with raised rims on both sides, and measures 32 millimeters in diameter.

On the obverse at the center, the relief image breaking the surface of the water of a rescue swimmer pulling a drowning victim to safety, along the upper circumference, the relief inscription «За спасение» (“For the Salvation”), along the lower circumference, the relief inscription «утопающих» (“of the Drowning”). On the reverse at the center, the relief image of a laurel branch from bottom left to upper right, above it, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the branch, the inscription «СССР» (“USSR”).

The medal was secured to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount by a ring through the medal suspension loop. The mount was covered by a 24 mm wide blue silk moiré ribbon with a 1 mm wide central white stripe and three 1 mm wide white stripes separated by 1 mm starting 1,5 mm from both edges.

The Medal for Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945

The Medal for Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941–194 was awarded to Soviet industrial workers for long labor during the war.

The Medal for Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945 (or Медаль «За доблестный труд в Великой Отечественной войне 1941—1945 гг.», Medal «Za doblestnyj trud v Velikoj Otechestvennoj vojne 1941-1945 gg.» in Russian) was established on 6 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet industrial workers for a term of one year or longer of labor during The Great Patriotic War (6 months for disabled military veterans/professional school graduates/the retired who returned to work to aid.)

The medal was awarded for wartime labor of one year or six months in the case of disabled veterans, to:

  • workers, technical personnel and employees of industry and transport;
  • farmers and agricultural specialists;
  • workers in science, technology, the arts, and literature;
  • employees of the Soviet, party, trade union, and other civic organizations.

Presentation of the award of the Medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945” was made by the executive committees of city and district Soviets on the basis of documents issued by the heads of enterprises, institutions, party, government, trade unions, and other civic organizations.

Its statute was later amended by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on July 18, 1980.

The Medal for Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945 Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of copper, with a raised rim on both sides. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On the obverse, the left profile bust of Joseph Stalin wearing the uniform of a Marshal of the Soviet Union, along the upper circumference of the medal, the relief inscription “НАШЕ ДЕЛО ПРАВОЕ” (“OUR CAUSE IS JUST”), along the lower circumference of the medal, the relief inscription “МЫ ПОБЕДИЛИ” (“WE HAVE WON”).

On the reverse along the upper circumference of the medal, the relief inscription «ЗА ДОБЛЕСТНЫЙ ТРУД» (“FOR VALIANT LABOUR”), in the center, under a relief hammer and sickle, the inscription on four lines «В ВЕЛИКОЙ ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННОЙ ВОЙНЕ 1941–1945 ГГ.» (“THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 1941–1945”), at the bottom, a small relief five-pointed star.

The Medal “For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with 2mm wide yellow edge stripes and a 7mm wide green central stripe.

The Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade

The Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Belgrade in 1944.

The Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade (or Медаль «За освобождение Белграда», Medal «Za osvobozhdenie Belgrada» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Belgrade between 29 September and 22 October 1944.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and liberation of the city of Belgrade as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The Medal for the Liberation of Belgrade Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On its obverse along the entire medal circumference, a laurel wreath split only at the top by a small five-pointed star, within the wreath, along its upper inner circumference, the relief inscription ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ» (“FOR THE LIBERATION”), at lower center just above the wreath, the horizontal relief inscription «БЕЛГРАДА» (“OF BELGRADE”). On the reverse at the top, a relief plain five-pointed star over the relief date in three rows «20 ОКТЯБРЯ 1944» (“20 OCTOBER 1944”).

The Medal “For the Liberation of Belgrade” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide green silk moiré ribbon with 8mm wide black central stripe.

The Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw

The Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Warsaw between in 1945.

The Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw (or Медаль «За освобождение Варшавы», Medal «Za osvobozhdenie Warshavy» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Warsaw between the 14 and 17 January 1945.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and liberation of the city of Warsaw as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On its obverse along the upper half of the medal’s circumference, the relief inscription «ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ» (“FOR THE LIBERATION OF”), at the bottom, a relief five-pointed star radiating divergent rays upwards, superimposed over the rays, a ribbon bearing the relief inscription «ВАРШАВЫ» (“WARSAW”). On the reverse at the top, a relief plain five-pointed star over the relief date in three rows «17 ЯНВАРЯ 1945» (“17 JANUARY 1945”).

The Medal “For the Liberation of Warsaw” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide blue silk moiré ribbon with 2mm yellow edge stripes and a 6mm wide central red stripe.

The Medal for the Liberation of Prague

The Medal for the Liberation of Prague was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Prague in 1945.

The Medal for the Liberation of Prague (or Медаль «За освобождение Праги», Medal «Za osvobozhdenie Pragi» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the liberation of Prague from the armed forces of Nazi Germany between the 3 and 9 May 1945.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and liberation of the city of Prague as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The Medal for the Liberation of Prague Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On its obverse along the upper half of the medal’s circumference, the relief inscription «ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ» (“FOR THE LIBERATION OF”), beneath the inscription, in prominent letters, the relief inscription «ПРАГИ» (“PRAGUE”). At the bottom, a small relief five-pointed star over a laurel wreath, over the wreath, a rising sun casting divergent rays upwards. On the reverse the relief date in three rows «9 МАЯ 1945» (“9 MAY 1945”) over a relief plain five-pointed star.

The Medal “For the Liberation of Prague” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide purple silk moiré ribbon with an 8mm wide blue central stripe.

The Medal for the Capture of Vienna

The Medal for the Capture of Vienna was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Vienna in 1945.

The Medal for the Capture of Vienna (or Медаль «За взятие Вены», Medal «Za vzjatie Veny» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Vienna from the armed forces of Nazi Germany between 16 March and 13 April 1945.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and capture of Vienna as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The medal’s statute was amended on July 18, 1980, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

The Medal for the Capture of Vienna Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On its pebbled obverse at the top, a relief five-pointed star. Below the star, the relief inscription in bold letters on three rows «ЗА ВЗЯТИЕ ВЕНЫ» (“FOR THE CAPTURE OF VIENNA”). At the bottom, the relief image of a laurel branch going up the left circumference of the medal up to the second row of the inscription. On the reverse at the top, a relief plain five-pointed star, below the star, the relief date in three rows «13 АПРЕЛЯ 1945» (“13 APRIL 1945”).

The medal was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide silk moiré light blue ribbon with an 8mm wide central dark blue stripe.

The Medal for the Capture of Königsberg

The Medal for the Capture of Königsberg was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Königsberg in 1945.

The Medal for the Capture of Königsberg (or Медаль «За взятие Кенигсберга», Medal «Za vzjatie Kenigsberga» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Königsberg from the armed forces of Nazi Germany between 23 January and 10 April 1945.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the assault and capture of Königsberg as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The medal’s statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

The Medal for the Capture of Königsberg Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

The obverse has a raised rim and shows a small relief five-pointed star with divergent rays at the top. Below this is a relief inscription in bold letters on three rows «ЗА ВЗЯТИЕ КЕНИГСБЕРГА» (“FOR THE CAPTURE OF KÖNIGSBERG”), with a relief image of a horizontal laurel branch below. The reverse bears the relief date in three rows «10 АПРЕЛЯ 1945» (“10 APRIL 1945”) below a relief plain five pointed star.

The medal is secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide silk moiré ribbon with 2 mm green edge stripes and five 4 mm wide alternating stripes, three black and two green.

The Medal for the Capture of Budapest

The Medal for the Capture of Budapest was awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Budapest between 1944 and 1945.

The Medal for the Capture of Budapest (or Медаль «За взятие Будапешта», Medal «Za vzjatie Budapeshta» in Russian) was established on 9 June 1945 and awarded to Soviet service personnel who took part in the capture of Budapest from the armed forces of Nazi Germany between 20 December 1944 and 15 February 1945.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and capture of Budapest as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal, or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community.

The medal’s statute was amended on 18 July 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

The Medal for the Capture of Budapest Design

The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim on the obverse. It was worn on the left side of the chest.

On its obverse at the top, a relief five-pointed star, its top point touching the medal upper rim. Below the star, the relief inscription in bold letters on two rows «ЗА ВЗЯТИЕ БУДАПЕШТА» (“FOR THE CAPTURE OF BUDAPEST”). At the bottom, the relief image of a wreath of oak branches going up the left and right circumference of the medal up to the lower row of the inscription, in the center of the wreath, the relief image of the hammer and sickle. On the reverse at the top, a relief plain five-pointed star, below the star, the relief date in three rows «13 ФЕВРАЛЯ 1945» (“13 FEBRUARY 1945”).

The medal as secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide silk moiré orange ribbon with an 8mm wide central blue stripe.