- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 28 October 1974
- Country: Russia & USSR
The Medal for Distinction in Military Service (or Медаль «За отличие в воинской службе», Medal «Za otlichie v voinskoj sluzhbe» in Russian) was established on 28 October 1974 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet and awarded to soldiers of the Soviet Army, Navy, border and internal troops: for excellent performance in combat and political training; for special distinction in exercises and maneuvers in combat service and combat duty; for bravery, selflessness, and other services, shown during military service.
The award was one of the very few Soviet decorations to be retained “as is” following the dissolution of the USSR. The award was divided into two classes, first and second, the first class being the highest. They were awarded sequentially for continued merit. 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.
The Medal for Distinction in Military Service Design
The medal is a five-pointed convex star measuring 38 millimeters wide and made of brass for the first class and cupronickel for the second class. Five shields bearing the emblems of the main branches of the service fill the gaps between its arms.
The obverse bears a central concave medallion bearing the relief images of a soldier, sailor, and airman. The central medallion was framed by a ring bearing the relief inscription «За отличие в воинской службе» (“For Distinction in Military Service”) on the sides and top, at the bottom of the ring, two laurel branches. The plain reverse only bore the mark of the Moscow Mint «ММД» (“MMD”) at the bottom.
The medal was secured to a 29,5mm wide by 27,5mm square mount by a ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered by a red silk moiré ribbon with two 3mm green stripes located 3mm from the ribbon edges.
