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Category: Russia & USSR

The Honored Pilot of the USSR Medal

The Honored Pilot of the USSR Medal was awarded for outstanding achievements in the use of aviation in the national economy.

The Honored Pilot of the USSR Medal (or Заслуженный пилот СССР, Zaslužennyj pilot SSSR in Russian) was established on 30 September 1965 and awarded to qualified civilian pilots 1st class for special merit in the development of modern aircraft, in the use of the most advanced piloting techniques, for the highest standards in education and training of flight personnel, for long-term trouble-free flying and for outstanding achievements in the use of aviation in the national economy.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was the main conferring authority of the award based on recommendations of the Ministry for Civil Aviation of the USSR.

The chest badge “Honored Pilot of the USSR” was worn on the right side of the chest and in the presence of other orders, placed over them.

The Honored Pilot of the USSR Medal Design

The medal is a polygon with raised edges struck in silver and nickel and measuring 27mm wide by 23mm high.

At the top of the obverse, the relief inscription in two lines covered to the left ЗАСЛУЖЕННЫЙ ПИЛОТ (“HONOURED PILOT”), in the center, the gilt tombac image of a jet transport aircraft climbing diagonally towards the right, at the bottom, the relief inscription СССР (“USSR”) superimposed over a laurel branch.

The badge was secured to a standard Soviet square mount by a silver-plated ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered by a silk moiré red ribbon.

The Honored Military Navigator of the USSR Medal

The Honored Military Navigator of the USSR Medal was awarded for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology.

The Honored Military Navigator of the USSR Medal (or Заслуженный военный штурман СССР, Zaslužennyj voennyj šturman SSSR in Russian) was established on 26 January 1965 and awarded to members of military flying units, military agencies, military schools, military organizations, and other military or federal authorities, having qualified military navigators 1st class or military navigator-instructors 1st class, for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology, high performance in education and training of flight personnel and long-term trouble-free flight operations in military aviation.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was the main conferring authority of the award based on recommendations from the Ministry of Defence of the USSR.

The breast badge “Merited Military Navigator of the USSR” was worn on the right side of the chest and in the presence of other orders, placed over them.

The Honored Military Navigator of the USSR Medal Design

The medal is a polygon with raised edges struck in silver and nickel and measuring 27mm wide by 23mm high,

At the top of the obverse, the relief inscription in three lines covered to the left ЗАСЛУЖЕННЫЙ ВОЕННЫЙ ШТУРМАН (“MERITED MILITARY NAVIGATOR”), in the center, the gilt tombac image of a jet plane climbing diagonally towards the right its nose and tail slightly protruding over the edges, at the bottom, the relief inscription СССР (“USSR”) superimposed over a laurel branch.

The badge was secured to a standard Soviet square mount by a silver-plated ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered by a silk moiré red ribbon.

The Honored Military Pilot of the USSR Medal

The Honored Military Pilot of the USSR Medal was awarded for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology and training.

The Honored Military Pilot of the USSR Medal (or Заслуженный военный лётчик СССР, Zaslužennyj voennyj lëtčik SSSR in Russian) was established on 26 January 1965 and awarded to members of military flying units, military agencies, military schools, military organizations, and other military or federal authorities, having qualified military pilots 1st class or military pilot-instructors 1st class, for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology, high performance in education and training of flight personnel and long-term trouble-free flight operations in military aviation.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was the main conferring authority of the award based on recommendations from the Ministry of Defence of the USSR. The chest badge “Honored Military Pilot of the USSR” was worn on the right side of the chest and in the presence of other orders, placed over them.

The Honored Military Pilot of the USSR Medal Design

The medal is a polygon with raised edges struck in silver-and-nickel and measuring 27-millimetre-wide by 23-millimetre-high.

At the top of the obverse is the relief inscription in three lines covered to the left ЗАСЛУЖЕННЫЙ ВОЕННЫЙ ЛËТЧИК (“Honored MILITARY PILOT”), in the center, the gilt tombac image of a jet plane climbing diagonally towards the right its nose and tail slightly protruding over the edges, at the bottom, the relief inscription СССР (“USSR”) superimposed over a laurel branch.

The badge was secured to a standard Soviet square mount by a silver-plated ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered by a silk moiré red ribbon.

The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal

The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal was established on 14 April 1961 and awarded to all cosmonauts who flew for the Soviet Space Agency.

The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal (or Заслуженный военный лётчик СССР, Zaslužennyj voennyj lëtčik SSSR in Russian) was established on 14 April 1961 and awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet to all cosmonauts who flew for the Soviet Space Agency. Usually accompanying the distinction was the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the highest title that could be awarded to a Soviet citizen for performing heroic deeds while in service of the state.

The award was given until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 where it was retained by the Law of the Russian Federation 2555-1 dated 20 March 1992 with a few slight amendments and renamed Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation. The insignia of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR is worn on the right side of the chest above orders and decorations.

The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal Design

The medal is a 25mm wide by 23.8mm high convex pentagon with a gilt silver rim.

In the center is an image of the terrestrial globe with the territory of the Soviet Union enameled in red. A gold star denotes Moscow as the point of origin of a gilt orbital path going around the globe once to reach a silver satellite at the upper left of the globe. A second orbital path, this time enameled in red, starts at the bottom center of the globe going up in an arc narrowing along the way to reach a gilt spacecraft above the globe.

Along the upper-left edge of the pentagon above the globe, the gilt relief inscription ЛЕТЧИК (“PILOT”), along the upper-right edge of the pentagon above the globe, the gilt relief inscription КОСМОНАВТ (“COSMONAUT”), along the bottom edge of the pentagon under the globe, the gilt inscription СССР (“USSR”), along the left and right lower edges of the pentagon, prominent gilt laurel branches. The reverse of the insignia is plain except for the award serial number.

The insignia is secured to a standard Russian square mount by a ring through the suspension loop. The award is secured to clothing with a threaded stud and nut behind the mount. The mount is covered by a silk moiré red ribbon.

The Medal for the Victory over Japan

The Medal for the Victory over Japan was awarded to Soviet service personnel who were active between 8 August and 23 August 1945.

The Medal for the Victory over Japan (or Медаль «За победу над Японией», Medal «Za pobedu nad Japoniej» in Russian) was established on 30 September 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union and awarded to Soviet service personnel of the 1st and 2nd Far East Trans-Baikal Fronts, Pacific Fleet and Amur River Flotilla who were active between 8 August and 23 August 1945.

The medal was awarded to all military personnel and members of the civilian staff of the units and formations of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, who took a direct part in hostilities against the Japanese imperialists in the Far East as part of the 1st or 2nd Far Eastern or Transbaikal Fronts, the Pacific Fleet or Amur River Flotilla; to military personnel of the central offices of the People’s Commissariat for Defense, the People’s Commissariat of the Navy of the USSR and the NKVD, who took part in planning the operations of Soviet troops in the Far East.

Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in combat operations against Japan issued by unit commanders or the chief of a military medical establishment.

The Medal for the Victory over Japan Design

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

On its pebbled obverse, the left-facing bust of Joseph Stalin is surrounded on the sides and top by the relief inscription along the medal’s circumference «ЗА ПОБЕДУ НАД ЯПОНИЕЙ» (“FOR THE VICTORY OVER JAPAN”). On the reverse, at the top, a plain five-pointed star, under the star, the inscription on three rows «3 СЕНТЯБРЯ 1945» (“3 SEPTEMBER 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 ribbon composed of a central 6mm red stripe bordered by 3.5mm white stripes, 2mm red stripes, 1mm white stripe, then 2.5mm yellow edge stripes.

The Medal for the Defense of Kiev

The Medal for the Defense of Kiev was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Kiev in 1941.

The Medal for the Defense of Kiev (or Медаль «За оборону Киева», Medal «Za oboronu Kieva» in Russian) was established on 21 June 1961 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Kiev between 7 July and 26 September 1941, during the 1941 invasion of the USSR by Nazi Germany.

The medal was awarded to all participants in the defense of the Hero-City of Kyiv – Soviet Army soldiers and troops of the former NKVD, as well as all the workers who participated in the defense of Kyiv in the ranks of the militia, in the construction of fortifications, who worked in factories serving the needs of the front, members of the Kyiv underground and partisans who fought against the enemy near Kyiv.

The Medal for the Defense of Kiev Design

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

On its obverse, the relief image of the building of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR with a flag waving from its rooftop mast. Against the background of the building, the relief images of a red soldier, a red sailor, a worker, and a woman, all guerrillas facing left with rifles at the ready. Along the upper circumference of the medal, the relief inscription «ЗА ОБОРОНУ КИЕВА» (“FOR THE DEFENSE OF KYIV”) bisected by the waving flag. At the bottom, a relief five-pointed star over a ribbon itself superimposed over laurel branches.

On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”)

The medal was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24 mm wide olive green silk moiré ribbon with two central stripes, a 2 mm blue stripe, and a 4 mm red stripe.

Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2

The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces. 

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The Medal for the Defense of the Soviet Transarctic

The Medal for the Defense of the Soviet Transarctic was awarded to all military and civilians who participated in the defense of the regions.

The Medal for the Defense of the Soviet Transarctic (or Медаль «За оборону Советского Заполярья», Medal «Za oboronu Sovestkogo Zapoliarja» in Russian) was established on 5 December 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of the Soviet Trans-Arctic regions between 25 June 1941 and 19 September 1944.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defense of the Soviet Transarctic. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of Stalingrad issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by the Murmansk Regional or Urban Councils of People’s Deputies. 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, members of the civilian population, participants in the defense of the Soviet Transarctic received their medal from the Murmansk Oblast or city Councils of People’s Deputies.

The Medal for the Defense of the Soviet Transarctic Design

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

On its obverse, the bust of a soldier in a sheepskin coat and fur cap carrying a PPSh submachine gun. To the left of the soldier, the half-hidden image of a warship, on both sides of his head, military aircraft in flight, superimposed on the bottom center and bottom right of his coat, two tanks. Along the entire circumference of the obverse, a 3mm band bearing the relief inscription «ЗА ОБОРОНУ СОВЕТСКОГО ЗАПОЛЯРЬЯ» (“FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE SOVIET TRANSARCTIC”), at the bottom, a five-pointed star bearing the hammer and sickle superimposed on a length of ribbon.

On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”).

The medal 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 white edge stripes and a white 6mm central stripe with 1mm white edge stripes.

Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2

The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces. 

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The Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus

The Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of the region.

The Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus (or Медаль «За оборону Кавказа», Medal «Za oboronu Kavkaza» in Russian) was established on 1 May 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of the Caucasus region between July 1942 and 9 October 1943.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defense of the Caucasus during the battle for the Caucasus. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of the Caucasus issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment, or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority of the Stavropol or of the Krasnodar Soviets of People’s Deputies, of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, of the Azerbaijan SSR, of the North Ossetian ASSR or of the Kabardin ASSR.

The Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus Design

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

On the obverse in the center, the relief image of Mount Elbrus, at its foot, oil derricks and a group of three tanks moving to the left; over the mountains, three aircraft flying towards the left. A 3mm wide band covered with relief images of clusters of grapes and flowers went around the entire circumference of the medal, at the very top, a relief five-pointed star, at the bottom, a scroll with the relief inscription «СССР» (“SSSR”) bisected by the image of the hammer and sickle. On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”).

The medal was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide olive green silk moiré ribbon with 2.5mm wide blue edge stripes, in the middle, two 2mm wide white stripes bordered by 1mm blue and red stripes separated by a 2mm olive stripe.

Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2

The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces. 

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The Medal for the Defense of Moscow

The Medal for the Defense of Moscow was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the Battle of Moscow during WW2.

The Medal for the Defense of Moscow (or Медаль «За оборону Москвы», Medal «Za oboronu Moskvy» in Russian) was established on 1 May 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Moscow between 19 October 1941 and 25 January 1942.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the battle of Moscow. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of Moscow issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority.

The Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of March 8, 1945, granted the petition of Yaroslavl regional organizations to award the medal “For the Defence of Moscow” to the most distinguished participants in the construction of defensive structures in the Moscow area by the civilian population of the Yaroslavl region.

The Medal for the Defense of Moscow Design

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

On the obverse in the background, the Kremlin wall, in front of the wall at lower center, the left front of a T-34 tank with a group of soldiers on it, below the tank near the medal’s lower rim, a relief five-pointed star in the center of a laurel wreath going halfway up the medal’s circumference on the left and right. To the left of the tank, the relief image of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, and to the right of the tank, a Kremlin tower. Over the Kremlin wall, the dome of the Senate building with a hammer and sickle flag waving from its rooftop mast, in the sky above, five combat aircraft flying towards the left. Along the upper circumference of the medal, the relief inscription in prominent letters «ЗА ОБОРОНУ МОСКВЫ» (“FOR DEFENCE OF MOSCOW”).

On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”)

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

Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2

The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces. 

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The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad

The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who were part of the defense of Stalingrad in 1942.

The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad (or Медаль «За оборону Сталинграда», Medal «Za oboronu Stalingrada» in Russian) was established on 22 December 1942 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Stalingrad between 12 July and 19 November 1942.

The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defense of Stalingrad during its siege by German forces. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of Stalingrad issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment, or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority.

The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad Design

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

On its obverse, a row of five overlapping fully equipped soldiers with their rifles at the ready marching to the left, above the two rightmost soldiers, the Soviet flag waving; above the others, tanks and combat aircraft also pointing to the left. At the top in the center, a relief five-pointed star, on either side of the star along the upper medal circumference, the relief inscription «ЗА ОБОРОНУ СТАЛИНГРАДА» (“FOR THE DEFENSE OF STALINGRAD”). On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”).

The medal was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide olive green silk moiré ribbon with a 2mm central red blue stripe.

Notable Recipients

Here are five notable recipients of The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad:

  1. Vasily Chuikov: General Vasily Chuikov was the commander of the Soviet 62nd Army during the Battle of Stalingrad. Under his leadership, the 62nd Army played a crucial role in defending Stalingrad against the German forces. Chuikov’s tactical skill and determination contributed significantly to the Soviet victory in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II.

  2. Nikita Khrushchev: Nikita Khrushchev, who later became the leader of the Soviet Union, was a political commissar in the Red Army during the Battle of Stalingrad. He played a key role in organizing the defense of the city and boosting morale among the troops. Khrushchev’s efforts during the battle earned him recognition and the Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad.

  3. Vasily Zaytsev: Sergeant Vasily Zaytsev, already mentioned as a notable recipient of the Medal “For the Victory over Germany,” also played a significant role in the defense of Stalingrad. As a sniper, Zaytsev inflicted heavy casualties on the German army, including numerous officers, contributing to the Soviet victory in the battle.

  4. Lyudmila Pavlichenko: Sergeant Lyudmila Pavlichenko, also mentioned earlier as a recipient of the Medal “For the Victory over Germany,” was another notable participant in the defense of Stalingrad. Her exceptional marksmanship as a sniper helped to repel German assaults and bolster the morale of Soviet defenders.

  5. Vasily Grossman: Vasily Grossman was a Soviet writer and war correspondent who documented the events of the Battle of Stalingrad firsthand. His reports provided vivid accounts of the heroism and suffering experienced by the defenders of Stalingrad, earning him recognition and the Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad.

Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2

The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces. 

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