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Tag: WW2 Soviet Orders

The Order of Victory (USSR)

The Order of Victory was the highest military decoration awarded for World War II service in the Soviet Union, and one of the rarest made.

The Order of Victory (or Орден Победа in Russian) was the highest military decoration awarded for World War II service in the Soviet Union, and one of the rarest orders in the world.

The Order of Victory was awarded only to Generals and Marshals for successfully conducting combat operations involving one or more army groups and resulting in a “successful operation within the framework of one or several fronts resulting in a radical change of the situation in favor of the Red Army.” The Order has only been awarded twenty times to twelve Soviet leaders and five foreign leaders, with one revocation (that of Leonid Brezhnev, revoked posthumously in 1989 for not meeting the requirements for the award).

The order was also bestowed to top commanders of the Allied forces. Every order was presented during or immediately after World War II. Unlike all other Soviet orders, the Order of Victory had no serial number on it, the number was only mentioned in the award certificate. After a holder of the Order of Victory died, the award was to be given back to the state.

The Order of Victory Design

The Order of Victory measures 72 mm in diameter and is made out of platinum in the form of a pentangular star with rays between the arms.

On October 25, 1943, artist A. I. Kuznetsov, who was already the designer of many Soviet orders, presented his first sketch to Stalin. The sketch of a round medallion with portraits of Lenin and Stalin was not approved by the Supreme Commander. Instead, Stalin wanted a design with the Spasskaya Tower in the centre. Kuznetsov returned four days later with several new sketches, of which Stalin chose one entitled “Victory”. On the 5th of November a prototype was finally approved.

The star is studded with 174 diamonds weighing a total of 16 carats (3.2 g), while the arms of the star are made out of ruby. In the center of the star is a silver medallion, with the Moscow Kremlin wall, the Spasskaya Tower, and Lenin’s Mausoleum depicted in gold surrounded by bands of laurel and oak also colored in gold. The laurel and oak are bound with a red banner. The sky in the background is inlaid with blue enamel.

Against the sky, the letters “СССР” (USSR) appear in gold centered on the top of the medallion, while the word “Победа” (Victory) is displayed on the red banner at the bottom. The total mass of the order is 78g, which consists of 47g of platinum, 2g of gold, 19g of silver, 25 carats of ruby and 16 carats of diamond.

Instead of being made at a mint, each Order was made in a jeweler’s workshop. The ribbons of various Soviet orders have been combined to create the Order Ribbon. The total length of the ribbon is 44 mm and it is mostly worn on the field uniform.

The Order of Nakhimov

The Order of Nakhimov is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established during World War II and bestowed to naval officers.

The Order of Nakhimov (or Орден Нахимова in Russian) is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established during World War II, bestowed to naval officers for outstanding military leadership and named in honor of Russian admiral Pavel Nakhimov (1802–1855).

The Order was awarded in two classes to officers of the Navy for outstanding achievements in the development, implementation and prosecution of naval operations resulting in the successful repelling of an opponent’s offensive or for active fleet operations that caused considerable damage to the enemy while conserving fleet assets.

The Order first class was awarded 82 times, including twice to naval units, such as the 1st torpedo-boat brigade of Sevastopol and the 1st Red Banner torpedo-boat brigade of the Baltic Fleet. The Order second class was awarded 469 times, including twice to naval units.

Following the 1991 dissolution of the USSR, the Order of Nakhimov was retained unchanged by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation № 2424-1 of March 2, 1992 but it was amended to its present form, a ribbon mounted single class Order.

The Order of Ushakov Design

The Order of Ushakov is a 40 mm wide blue enamelled silver cross pattée, seven silver rays of increasing size protrude from the center between each cross arm.

The Order of Nakhimov 1st class was of multi part construction consisting of a gold five pointed star displaying radiant rays (the bottom arm pointing straight down, a silver five pointed star with each arm ending in a naval sea anchor, its upper arm pointing straight up with the rays of the gold star protruding between its arms). A central gold medallion is covered with dark enamel and the gold left profile relief image of the bust of admiral Nakhimov over two laurel branches at the center of the medallion.

Above the head and along the medallion’s upper circumference is the inscription in gilt letters “ADMIRAL NAKHIMOV” (АДМИРАЛ НАХИМОВ). The hammer and sickle bisected the laurel branches on the central medallion. Five triangular red rubies were affixed to the silver star, one on each arm pointing out from the central medallion’s outer edge.

On the reverse of the silver star, a threaded screw and a 33 mm in diameter nut arrangement for attachment to clothing. The maker’s (mint) mark was located at the upper part of the gold star’s reverse, the award serial number was hand etched in the lower part. The Order of Nakhimov 2nd class was of two part construction and made entirely of silver with red enamel in lieu of rubies.

The only noticeable difference between the Soviet and early Russian Federation variants was the abrogation of the hammer and sickle from the latter.

The Order and Medal of Ushakov

The Order of Ushakov is a military decoration of the Russian Federation bestowed to command grade naval officers for outstanding leadership.

The Order of Ushakov (or Орден Ушакова in Russian) is a military decoration of the Russian Federation bestowed to command grade naval officers for outstanding leadership. The Order is named in honor of admiral Fyodor Ushakov (1744–1817) who never lost a battle and was proclaimed patron saint of the Russian Navy.

The order was established in two classes during World War II by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of March 3, 1944. Following the 1991 dissolution of the USSR, the Order of Ushakov was retained unchanged by the Decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation. The Decree amended the Order to its present form, a ribbon mounted single class Order.

The Order of Ushakov Design

The Order of Ushakov is a 40 mm wide blue enamelled silver cross pattée, seven silver rays of increasing size protrude from the center between each cross arm. The Order’s 1st class was of multi part construction consisting of a five pointed star struck from platinum, an oxidized silver anchor and chain secured to the platinum star with four rivets, and a circular central medallion struck from gold.

On the obverse and superimposed on the anchor is the relief image of admiral Ushakov. The background is covered in dark blue enamel and around the admiral’s head is the inscription in gilt letters “ADMIRAL USHAKOV” («АДМИРАЛ УШАКОВ»). Below him, laurel and oak branches are bisected by the hammer and sickle.

The central medallion was secured to the platinum star by two rivets and surrounded by a gilt rope. On the reverse, a threaded screw and a 33 mm in diameter nut arrangement for attachment to clothing. 

The only noticeable difference between the Soviet and early Russian Federation variants was the abrogation of the hammer and sickle from the latter.

The Order of Glory (USSR)

The Order of Glory is a military decoration of the Soviet Union awarded to soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the Red Army.

The Order of Glory (or Орден Славы in Russian) is a military decoration of the Soviet Union awarded to soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the Red Army as well as to aviation junior lieutenants, for bravery in the face of the enemy and established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on November 8, 1943.

The Order of Glory, which was modeled closely after the Tsarist Cross of St. George, was divided into three distinct classes. A soldier would initially be recommended for the order’s lowest class, while subsequent distinct acts of valor could result in the soldier being recommended for the order’s two remaining classes. Soldiers who received each of the order’s three classes were referred to as a “Full Cavalier of the Order of Glory” (“полный кавалер ордена Славы”). 2,656 Red Army soldiers would attain Full Cavalier status.

The order became defunct with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The Order of Glory Design

The badge of the Order of Glory is a five-pointed star with a central medallion. The central medallion featured the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, with a red enameled five-pointed star at its top and a red enameled scroll at the bottom bearing the word “GLORY” (СЛАВА). Laurel branches on each side along the medal circumference stopped just short of the red star.

The reverse had the Cyrillic inscription for “USSR” (СССР) within a ring with a raised rim. The award serial number was either stamped or engraved above the ring on the reverse of the star’s upper arm.

The order’s first class was made of 950 (23 karat) gold; the order’s second class was made of silver with a gilt central medallion and the order’s third class was made entirely of silver. The Order is suspended by a ring through the award’s suspension loop to a standard Russian pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm-wide silk moiré ribbon of St George.

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky

The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky (Орден Богдана Хмельницкого) was a Soviet award established in 1943 and named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky (or Орден Богдана Хмельницкого in Russian) was a Soviet award established on October 10, 1943 and named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky, leader of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate.

Zynoviy Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1595-1657) was a Polish–Lithuanian-born Hetman who led an uprising against the Commonwealth and its magnates (1648–1654) that resulted in the creation of a state led by the Cossacks of Ukraine.

The award was first established by the Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the USSR during World War II and discontinued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to Soviet Armed Forces personnel and often the members of the Ukrainian Front for their exceptional duty in combat operations that led to the liberation of Soviet territory.

The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky was broken down into three different classes: 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class. The 1st class medal is awarded to army commanders, especially at the front, for successful direction of combat operations that led to the liberation of a region or town where they were successful in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The 2nd class medal is awarded to corps, divisions, brigade or battalion commanders for a breach of a defensive enemy line or a raid into the enemy’s rear. The 3rd class medal is awarded to officers, partisan commanders, sergeants, corporals and privates of the Red Army and partisan units for outstanding bravery and resourcefulness leading to a battle victory.

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Design

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnytsky is a five-pointed star, made in the form of diverging rays, in the center a shield with the image of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, under star divergent silver rays.

The badge of the Order was designed by artist Alexander Pashchenko and measures 56 mm (1st and 2nd Class) and 45 mm (3rd Class). The materials are: 1st Class in gold 19,3g, silver 26,7g. Weight 42,0g. 2nd Class in gold 6,5g, silver 35,4g. Weight 43,9g. 3rd Class in silver 29,6g. Weight 32,0g.

The Order of Kutuzov

The Order of Kutuzov is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established during World War II and named after the Field Marshal.

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.

The Order of Suvorov

The Order of Suvorov (or Орден Суворова) is a military decoration established in 1942 and named in honor of Count Alexander Suvorov.

The Order of Suvorov (or Орден Суворова in Russian) is a military decoration established on July 29, 1942 and named in honor of Russian Field Marshal Count Alexander Suvorov (1729–1800). The Order was originally a Soviet award, created to reward senior army personnel for exceptional leadership in combat operations.

The Order was divided into three different classes: 1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class. The Order 1st class was awarded to army commanders for exceptional leadership of combat operations. The Order 2nd class was awarded to corps, division, and brigade commanders for a decisive victory over a numerically superior enemy. The Order 3rd class was awarded to regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, and battalion and company commanders for outstanding leadership leading to a combat victory. 

Following the 1991 dissolution of the USSR, the Order of Suvorov was retained unchanged but it was not awarded in this form. The Presidential Decree 1099 of September 7, 2010 modernized and reorganized the entire Russian awards system away from its Soviet past changed the statute of the Order to a single-class medal. 

The Order of Suvorov Design

The Order of Suvorov measures 40 mm wide and is a gold plated cross pattée with silver rays protruding from the center outwards between the arms of the cross to form a square.

The obverse center has a circular convex medallion bearing the gilded bust of Alexander Suvorov in profile and facing left. Below, on the medallion lower edge, are crossed branches of oak and laurel. At the upper part and following its circumference is the inscription in red enameled embossed letters “ALEXANDER SUVOROV” (АЛЕКСАНДР СУВОРОВ). The reverse is bare except for the award serial number.

The Order is suspended by a ring through a suspension loop to a standard Russian pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide green silk moiré ribbon with a 5mm wide orange central stripe. The Order of Suvorov is to be worn on the left side of the chest and immediately after the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky

The Order of Alexander Nevsky is an order of merit bestowed to civil servants for twenty years + of highly meritorious service.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky (or орден Александра Невского in Russian) is an order of merit of the Russian Federation bestowed to civil servants for twenty years or more of highly meritorious service and named in honor of saint Alexander Nevsky (1220–1263). It was awarded to Red Army commanders who displayed personal bravery in fighting for their country in World War II, for courage, bravery and skillful leadership that ensured success.

It was originally established by the Soviet Union as a military honor during World War II on July 7, 1942. Its statute was amended by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 26, 1947.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky was reinstated by the Soviet Union for award to officers of the army for personal courage and resolute leadership. The Order was retained by the new Russian Federation following the dissolution of the USSR but was never awarded. The September 7, 2010 Decree №1099 amended the statute of the Order making it a purely civilian award.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky Design

The Order of Alexander Nevsky (in its Soviet and early Russian Federation version) is made of silver, measures 50 mm wide and is a high ruby-red enameled, five-pointed convex star superimposed on a decagon composed of polished diverging rays. The star had gold-plated rims and edges.

In the center of the star, a central medallion bearing the left profile relief image of a helmeted Alexander Nevsky and the inscription along the left and right circumference in prominent letters “ALEXANDER NEVSKY” («АЛЕКСАНДР НЕВСКИЙ»). The central medallion is surrounded by a gilt laurel wreath bisected at its base by a silver shield bearing the hammer and sickle, the shield is superimposed over gilded sword, spear, bow and quiver of arrows. Two gilt pollaxes cross behind the central medallion, their outward facing blades protruding on either side of the five pointed star’s top arm and extending slightly past the decagon’s outer edge, their base visible just inside of the star’s two lower arms.

The original Order was suspended by a ring through a suspension loop, which was changed in 1943 to a threaded stud and nut attachment on the reverse. The design of the early Russian Federation variant of the Order differed from the Soviet variant only in the abrogation of the hammer and sickle from the silver shield on the obverse.

The Order of the Patriotic War (USSR)

The Order of the Patriotic War (Орден Отечественной войны) is a  Soviet military decoration established in 1942 and awarded for heroic deeds.

The Order of the Patriotic War (or Орден Отечественной войны in Russian) is a  Soviet military decoration established on 20 May 1942 and awarded for heroic deeds during WW2 or the German-Soviet War to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, as well as to partisans.

This was the first Soviet order established during the war, and the first Soviet order divided into classes. Deeds are awarded with the order (shooting down three aircraft as a fighter pilot, destroying two heavy or three medium or four light tanks, capturing a warship, repairing an aircraft under fire after landing on a hostile territory, etc) were awarded with the first class.

The medal was also given to some allied troops and commanders, including western allies. Altogether, over 324,903 of the 1st class and 951,652 of the 2nd class were issued during the war. 

The Order of the Patriotic War Classes

The Order of the Patriotic War had two classes:

  1. First Class: Awarded for acts of bravery and courage displayed in combat against the enemy. It was typically bestowed upon soldiers, sailors, and airmen who demonstrated exceptional valor or leadership on the battlefield. Recipients of the First Class were often recognized for their direct involvement in significant military operations, such as leading successful assaults, repelling enemy attacks, or capturing strategic objectives.

  2. Second Class: Awarded for various contributions to the war effort, including acts of bravery, distinguished service, or significant achievements in support of the Soviet war machine. While the criteria for the Second Class were less stringent than those for the First Class, recipients were still required to demonstrate commendable conduct and dedication to the defense of the Soviet Union. This class of the order was often bestowed upon individuals who displayed courage under fire, rendered valuable assistance to their comrades, or made significant sacrifices for the cause of victory.

The Order of the Patriotic War Medal Design

The Order of the Patriotic War medal features a red enamel five-pointed star, made of silver, with straight rays in the background, and crossed sabre and a Mosin rifle. The rays in the background are golden for the First Class and silver for the Second Class.

The central disc has a golden hammer and sickle on a red enamel background, surrounded by a white enamel ring with the words ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННАЯ ВОЙНА (“Patriotic War”). Anniversary orders of 1985 were made cheaper, as a single silver piece, gold-plated in the 1st class.

The ribbon varies slightly depending on the class:

  • Order of the Patriotic War – First Class Ribbon
  • Order of the Patriotic War – Second Class Ribbon

The Order of the Patriotic War - MEDIA

The Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, reverse.
Order of the Patriotic War depicted on a 1943 postage stamp.
The Order of the Patriotic War depicted on a 1943 postage stamp. Wikipedia.