The Order of Kutuzov

• Time Period: Second World War
• Year of Institution: 29 July 1942
• Country: Russia & USSR

The Order of Kutuzov (or Орден Кутузова in Russian) is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established during World War II and named after famous Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745–1813).

The Order was created to reward senior Red Army officers. During World War II, 669 Orders of Kutuzov 1st class were awarded. The Order 2nd class was awarded to 3,325 corps, division, and brigade commanders. The Order 3rd class was awarded to regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, battalion and company commanders and was only established on February 8, 1943. Of this type, 3,328 3rd class orders were awarded.

Following the 1991 dissolution of the USSR, the Order of Kutuzov was retained unchanged in both design and statute by decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation No 2424-1 of March 2, 1992.

The Order of Kutuzov Design

The badge of the Order of Kutuzov is a 40mm wide silver cross pattée with gold rays protruding between its arms at an obtuse angle.

In the obverse, in the center is a silver medallion bordered by a wide white enameled band surrounded by a gilt laurel and oak wreath. The gold plated left profile bust of M.I. Kutuzov with the image of the Kremlin wall in the background. On the sides of the medallion’s white enameled band, the gilt inscription “Mikhail Kutuzov” («Михаил Кутузов»). The reverse is plain, the award serial number is inscribed on the reverse of the cross lower arm.

The Order of Kutuzov is suspended from a standard Russian pentagonal mount by a ring through the suspension loop. The mount is covered by an overlapping dark blue silk moiré ribbon with a central 5mm wide orange stripe.