Battle honors of our past. Medal "Gold Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Medal "Gold Star": a single award of two states. Help gold star number 1

The medal "Hero of the Soviet Union" is one of the highest distinctions, which was awarded at the corresponding rank. It was established during the formation of the USSR, but remained an award badge even in Russian Federation. Initially, the title appeared, and after that it was decided to award all the Heroes of the USSR with the Golden Star.

The title appeared in 1934, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR decided that all citizens who distinguished themselves in hostilities should be awarded the title of Hero of the USSR. Initially, the award and the title had no common ground. Everyone who received the title was awarded another insignia - the Order of Lenin.

This went on for two years, after which it was decided that the title was entitled to an appropriate award, which was considered one of the most valuable. The "Gold Star" of the Union appeared in 1936, the architect Miron Merzhanov participated in the design.

Medal "Gold Star" Hero of the Soviet Union

The medal was considered an additional sign, initially there was no information about how many times a title can be awarded and a medal can be awarded to one person. As there was no information about whether it is worth assigning the Order of Lenin to the awarded. But later these points were clarified.

The title of Hero of the USSR could be awarded to any citizen who lived on the territory of the USSR. The hero could be awarded twice, in addition, receiving a medal and conferring a title allowed a person to receive certain benefits and use them throughout his life.

Naturally, the greatest number of medals was received during the Second World War. In addition, in addition to the title, a citizen received:

1. Order of Lenin or the Gold Star medal, depending on the year of award.
2. Honorary Diploma.

In addition, a bronze bust was erected to the hero in his homeland, if a person was awarded the title twice, if three times, then a bronze bust was installed in the Kremlin.

The idea that distinguished citizens should be awarded the title was so liked by the leaders of countries under the influence of the USSR that similar awards were established in many of them.

The award sign was of particular value among collectors, today the Gold Star medal is a good exhibit for any collection. But the sale and purchase of medals from the times of the USSR on the territory of our country is prosecuted by law. Therefore, you can rarely find such a lot.

Considering that the title was awarded only before the collapse of the USSR, and after the award was already called differently, it is difficult to say how much it costs exactly at the auction. Assessing its market value, we can say that the price ranges from one to two thousand dollars. But collectors will certainly offer a higher value.

The title is priceless and for this reason the people to whom it was awarded were entitled to a number of benefits. The title was also often combined with other awards and medals. Hero of Socialist Labor and Hero of the Soviet Union - these titles were often awarded together. Cosmonauts and pilots were especially fond of the general secretaries, so they were awarded the award more often than other representatives of military structures.

Retirement stats:

• in total 72 people were deprived of the title of Hero for one reason or another, mainly criminal offenses were this reason;
• 15 people from this list were subsequently shot;
• 13 people never received the title due to the fact that the decrees on assignment were withdrawn, the reason for this was the unreasonable assignment;
• 61 people for one reason or another were deprived of the title of Hero, but after that they were reinstated in the rank;
• 11 of those who were stripped of their rank and shot were subsequently rehabilitated.

The last person to receive the award was Leonid Solodkov, but at the time he was awarded the title of the Soviet Union itself, it no longer existed. Less than a month has passed since the collapse, so when presenting the newly minted hero, instead of answering “I serve the Soviet Union,” he limited himself to the phrase: “Thank you.”

Certificate for the medal

It is also noteworthy that four Heroes of the Soviet Union, after its collapse, received the title of Heroes of the Russian Federation. Two of them were astronauts.

In Soviet times, only two people became Heroes four times. Only Marshal Zhukov received such an honor and, of course, Leonid Brezhnev, who had a love for orders and medals, for this reason handed them to himself for no apparent reason.

There were also women among the Heroes, before the start of World War II, three representatives of the fair sex were awarded the title. During the Second World War, the number of women among the awardees increased significantly and reached 90 people. But 47 of them were awarded the title posthumously.

Medal of the Hero in the USSR

The “Gold Star” of the Union did not immediately receive the name “Gold Star”, initially the medal was called similarly to the title, but due to the design and shape in the form of a star, the award was renamed. It was considered the highest and most prestigious, awarded for special services to the Fatherland, for military exploits, courage and bravery in the performance of official or military duties.

As well as the title and, accordingly, the award was given not only to people, but also to cities, and even to fortresses.

After the establishment of the award, a decision was made to build the Palace of Soviets, which was supposed to contain busts made of bronze, citizens - three times Heroes. In order to build a palace on the banks of the Moskva River, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was demolished, but the war interfered with the plans of the communists and the construction was frozen. It is noteworthy that it never resumed again; the planned skyscraper with a height of more than 400 meters was never built. Therefore, all the busts of the Heroes who received the medal three times were in the Kremlin.

The award badge was made of gold, it had the shape of a five-pointed star (the rays are sharp, visually divided into two halves). The weight of the medal was 21.5 grams. Quite a lot, considering that high 950 gold was used to make the star.

On the reverse of the sign was the inscription "To the Hero of the Soviet Union"; the inscription was originally applied in an abbreviated version, replacing the Soviet Union with the abbreviation SS, but later it was decided to change the abbreviation. The reason for the change was the negative associations of citizens: the SS was associated with the fascist organization, the occupying troops.

It was also required to make a mark on the star about the time the medal was awarded to a citizen, it was made in Roman numerals. If the award sign was lost for a good reason, then the owner was given a duplicate, it had a corresponding mark in the form of the letter "D". The leadership of the country considered military operations to be a good reason.

If a citizen already had the title of Hero and an award badge, but at the same time he was repeatedly awarded the title for a perfect heroic deed, then in addition to the Gold Star medal, the hero could also be awarded the Order of Lenin.

Since the "Gold Star" is considered one of the highest and most honorable awards, it should be worn above other medals and orders on the chest on the left side. The award badge has a block and a ring; the year of awarding the badge of distinction was necessarily indicated on the reverse.

The rules for re-awarding did not appear immediately, clarifications regarding the possible number of awarding the title did not appear. But here are the clarifications that concerned the appearance of the medal, its presentation for the third and second time appeared only in 1939. In addition, the mention that the busts of heroes should be in the Kremlin appeared only in the 1960s.

Despite the fact that the award appeared after the title was established, its cultural and historical value is quite high. Over the years, the following citizens were awarded the Gold Star medal:

1. Rescuers of the sunken crew of the Chelyuskin, the first on the list was the name of the pilot S. Levanevsky, but he did not manage to receive the award during his lifetime. The pilot died while flying over the North Pole to the United States.
2. In the 40s of the XX century, the awards were mainly awarded to participants in the hostilities on the Karelian Isthmus.
3. Until 1941, about 600 people received the medal.
4. Cosmonauts were especially popular with the authorities: 84 people received awards.
5. The awarding of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War continued even after its end, the reason being that some citizens could not receive a medal for one reason or another.

Today at auctions you can find a fairly large number of award signs made of gold. If the authenticity of the star is not established, then its price will not exceed $20. In order to conduct a profitable transaction, it is necessary to prove the authenticity of the sign. This is done through a series of examinations, they are carried out in accordance with the rules of the auction. But by proving the authenticity of the award, you can significantly increase its value. In this case, collectors will be ready to purchase the Star at a better price.

It is difficult to say exactly how much the insignia costs, but under adverse circumstances, the seller may have problems with the law.

Such auctions take place at various auctions, but do not forget that all orders and medals have an identification number by which they can be recognized by learning information about the owner. The deal may be hindered by the authorities. Particular attention is paid to rare orders and medals, as well as collected collections that are of great value as a historical and cultural heritage.

Rosokhrankultura is in charge of resolving issues, the organization monitors such lots. Officials, if necessary, can send a request to remove the lot from sale until the identity of the seller is established. The reason is that the sale of award signs is prohibited in Russia, but the ban does not apply to other countries. Under the legislation of the Russian Federation, an enterprising seller may face a fine or corrective labor.

When selling an award sign on the territory of another state, it is necessary to confirm its authenticity. Only the owner can do this, but if the authorities have questions about the authenticity and the true owner of the medal, then the lot can be withdrawn from the auction until the owner is established.

The issue is quite controversial, and if there are problems during the sale of the medal, putting the lot up for auction, they must be resolved as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may get in trouble with the law. But this does not mean at all that the Gold Star medal cannot be sold or bought at auction.

The organizers of the auction are not entitled to disclose information about the owners of the lots, this information is kept secret. Therefore, it is not so easy to find out the names of sellers. And to establish the authenticity of award signs, you need to meet with their owners. By identification numbers, you can get information about who originally owned the awards, but the authorities have no information about who is the owner of orders and medals today.

Hero of Russia

After the fall of the Union, the tradition of awarding the Gold Star medal as a badge of distinction did not disappear. The country's leadership decided to continue the presentation of awards, but since the country of the USSR was no more, the title of Hero of the Russian Federation and the corresponding award appeared.

The insignia, like the title, is considered the highest award in Russia, is awarded to citizens for special services to the Fatherland, courage and courage in the performance of military tasks.

The appearance of the sign has not changed much, only now it is customary to decorate the star with a ribbon in the color of the Russian tricolor. The medal also has five sharp rays, each of which is 1.5 cm long.

The reverse of the star has a smooth, even surface, it is limited by a rim, the inscription "To the Hero of Russia" is applied to the surface of the reverse of the badge. And also the medal has an identification number that allows you to identify the owner.

The title can be awarded to one person several times, there are no restrictions on this matter in the legislation of the Russian Federation. There is a certain similarity with the awarding of a distinction in the days of the USSR.

In the upper beam of the award badge there is a mark in the form of a number, it is convex, indicating the time the badge was awarded to the citizen. And also the inscription on the reverse of the medal is inscribed in raised letters. The weight of the star has not changed, it is also 21.5 grams.

In Soviet times, it was customary to decorate the Kremlin with busts of heroes, and the bust should have been installed in the homeland of a person. Part of this tradition has survived to our times. Now, in order for his bronze bust to be installed in the homeland of the hero, it is necessary to receive two titles: Hero of the Russian Federation and Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation.

But in order to receive a title and an award badge, there must be grounds. In most cases, there were:

• combatants;
• participants of the Great Patriotic War;
• aviation equipment testers;
• citizens who distinguished themselves in the fight against terrorism;
• participants in the first Chechen war;
• sailors, submariners and testers of naval equipment;
• astronauts;
• persons who distinguished themselves in saving someone else's life, including the rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

If we evaluate the market value of the award, then it is not as high as that of orders and medals from the times of the USSR. Undoubtedly, the sign has a certain value, since it is made of precious metal, but its sale in Russia cannot be carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. Since the insignia has an identification number, it will not be difficult to find the owner.

"To establish the highest degree of distinction - the award for personal or collective services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union."

In April 1934, 85 years ago, the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR established the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. It was awarded for special merits or feats before the country and people. Until now, there are those among us who, not sparing their lives, defended the right of our great country to exist, defended it and accomplished a feat. And as long as we have the opportunity to talk with living heroes or talk about them, we should cherish this and use this opportunity.

The first heroes of the USSR - polar pilots

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org

A special resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, and since 1937 - a resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, established special rules for awarding and conferring the honorary status of Hero of the Soviet Union. It is interesting that initially there were no insignia that are familiar to us now, that is, such as the Golden Star or, were not provided. The recipient was given only a certificate of honor from the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, which contained a description of the feat and the name of the hero.

Nevertheless, with the very first award, a year before the official introduction of the title, an interesting incident occurred. All seven famous pilots who participated in the rescue of the crew of the Chelyuskin ship received the Order of Lenin. Especially for them, the provision on awarding was approved, according to which it was supposed to issue the Order of Lenin to all awarded the title of Hero. Moreover, they became Heroes back in 1934, when there was no official position and resolution. Pilots A. Lyapidevsky, M. Vodopyanov, V. Molokov, I. Doronin, M. Slepnev, N. Kamanin and S. Levanevsky became not only the first Heroes of the Soviet Union, they became truly national heroes. Thousands of young men and women, following their example, went to flying clubs and aircraft manufacturing to help the country conquer such an inaccessible sky.

The first female heroes. Source: https://www.pnp.ru

Participants were awarded the following civil war in Spain. The USSR then actively helped the Republicans, and 60 people were awarded awards. Among them appeared the first foreign soldiers who fought in the ranks of the Soviet units - the Italian Primo Gibelli and the Bulgarian Volkan Goranov.

There were also conflicts on the eastern borders of the USSR. The Japanese militarists tested the power of our country and tasted the Soviet bayonet on and. As a result of these battles, the Japanese were defeated, and the number of Heroes of the USSR increased by 70 people, and the first twice Heroes appeared. However, despite this, the Golden Star that we all know has not yet appeared.

Birth of a Star

On August 1, literally a month before the start of the armed Japanese provocation on the Khalkhin Gol River in September 1939, a special distinguishing sign for the Heroes of the Soviet Union was introduced by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - the Gold Star medal. The decree of August 16, 1939 approved its appearance. The first awards with new medals were made after the end of the conflict with the Japanese on the Khalkhin Gol River. Then 421 soldiers of the Red Army received the Star for distinction during the Soviet-Finnish War.

Order of Lenin and Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Source: https://www.pinterest.ru

The medal is a gold five-pointed star with smooth dihedral rays on the front side. With the help of an eyelet and a ring, a golden star is connected to a gilded rectangular plate, which is covered with a red moiré ribbon. The plate has on the reverse side a threaded pin with a nut for attaching to clothing. On the reverse side of the medal there is an inscription "Hero of the USSR". All those heroes who received their honorary titles before the star was introduced received it, and those who did not have the Order of Lenin received it. Since that moment, a stable and unchanging tradition of honorary presentation of the highest award has appeared in our country. The star could be awarded several times, but the Order of Lenin was issued only at the first award. During subsequent awards, the numbers on the reverse side of the medal were not in a row, but corresponded to the serial numbers of the stars being produced. When the award was repeated in the homeland of the hero, a bronze bust was installed. And since 1967, the government of the USSR has established special benefits in everyday life for the awarded. Of course, most of the awards fall on the period of the Great Patriotic War.

Heroes of the Fatherland

Heroes are victorious. Source: https://pinterest.com

By the beginning, 626 people were listed as Heroes of the Soviet Union, among them were three women - Marina Raskova, Valentina Grizodubova and Polina Osipenko. Five people became Heroes twice. When the enemy attacked our homeland, all the people rose to its defense. The exploits of such heroes as Gastello, Maresyev, Matrosov are on everyone's lips ... Pilots, tankers, artillerymen, sappers and sailors - perhaps there was not a single branch of the army that would not have distinguished itself with a whole galaxy of its heroes. Numerous civilians and partisans have also received this high award. No wonder the period of the war accounts for 91% of all awards with the title of Hero in the entire history of the award. A total of 11,657 people received the medal during the war years, over 3,000 of them posthumously. Over 100 of them were awarded this title twice, and Georgy Zhukov, Ivan Kozhedub and Alexander Pokryshkin - three times.

44 people from the armies allied to us, including 4 French pilots, also became heroes. The 167th twice Red Banner Rifle Division distinguished itself. In its ranks, there were the most awarded the honorary title of hero - 108 people.

Astronaut heroes.

Gold Star Medal was established by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on August 1, 1939 as a distinction of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union under the name of the medal "Hero of the Soviet Union". By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 16, 1939, it was renamed the "Golden Star", and the drawing and description were also approved.

Regulations on the medal "Gold Star"

The medal is made in the form of a five-pointed star with polished dihedral 15 mm rays on the front side. The reverse was a smooth surface bordered along the contour by a thin rim. In its center, it was written in raised letters: "Hero of the USSR." The number was in the upper beam. Vesnagrady 21.5 grams, with the help of an eyelet and a link, the medal was attached to a rectangular gilded block covered with a red moire ribbon, the width of which was 22 millimeters. The provision provided for the possibility of repeated awarding. Such a hero was awarded the Order of Lenin and a second medal, and in commemoration of the deeds of the recipient, a bronze bust with a corresponding inscription was erected in his homeland.

According to the first statute (August 1939), the award was called the "Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union" and was declared the highest award of the USSR, awarded for special valor shown in the defense of the Motherland, as well as for special services to the party and government. Initially, it was planned to place the inscription “Hero of the SS” on the front side (meaning Hero of the Soviet Union), however, due to undesirable associations (with German SS detachments), the inscription was removed already in November of the same year, instead the inscription appeared on the reverse Hero of the USSR. The statute of November 1939 changed the very name of the award, from now on and until the end of its existence it was called the “Gold Star Medal”. In addition, the rules for repeated and third awards were added to the statute. It was established that the second and third stars on the reverse should have serial numbers II and III, respectively (in Roman numerals). Cavaliers were also marked by the installation of bronze busts: at the second award - in their homeland and at the third - in the courtyard of the Palace of Soviets. Special mention should be made of the last rule: at the time of the approval of the statute, the Palace of Soviets was just beginning to be built, it was supposed to be a huge 420-meter skyscraper topped with a 100-meter statue of Lenin. Location - the bank of the Moscow River, especially for this construction, the famous Cathedral of Christ the Savior was demolished. However, with the outbreak of the war, the construction was frozen and never resumed in the future, so the busts of three heroes of the Soviet Union were placed in the Kremlin, although the corresponding change to the statute of the award was made only in 1967.

The medal could be awarded not only to individuals who performed a heroic deed and were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but also to cities that were awarded the title of Hero City and fortresses that were awarded the title of Hero Fortress.

When awarding the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin, he was also awarded a diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The medal is worn on the left side of the chest above all other awards of the USSR. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union for new heroic deeds, similar to those committed earlier, could be awarded the Order of Lenin and the Golden Star for the third time.

The Golden Star was not awarded to the first Heroes of the Soviet Union, because at that time the title of Hero did not yet have external attributes. Later, the highest distinction of this title was awarded to the rescuers of the crew of the sunken Chelyuskin. The first on the list to receive this medal is S. Levanevsky, who did not have time to receive it during his lifetime, as he died in the district North Pole on a non-stop flight to the United States.

In 1939-1940. Many Soviet soldiers who fought on the side of the Republican army of Spain and took part in the defeat of Japanese troops in the area of ​​​​Lake Khasan and the Khalkhin Gol River, as well as distinguished themselves in battles on the Karelian Isthmus during the Soviet-Finnish armed conflict, received the "Gold Star".

In total, up to 1941, it was awarded to more than 600 people. The Golden Star medal was awarded to the hero cities of Leningrad, Stalingrad, Odessa, Sevastopol, Moscow, Kyiv, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Minsk, Tula, Murmansk and Smolensk, as well as the hero fortress Brest.

More than 90% of the awards fall on the Great Patriotic War: 11,657 soldiers and officers received the Gold Star Medal, 3,051 of them posthumously. A large number of awards is explained, first of all, by mass manifestations of heroism Soviet people, No one got the Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union "for beautiful eyes." Both experienced warriors and completely green boys, yesterday's schoolchildren and students, did not spare their lives for the sake of ridding the Motherland of the fascist infection. Deservedly received the Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the pilot Stepan Zdorovtsev, who rammed a fascist bomber on the first night of the war, and Sergeant Vasily Kislyakov, who alone held the height from the advancing Germans for 7 hours, and Alexander Matrosov, who covered the enemy embrasure with his body, and thousands more selfless men, women and even children who fought the brown plague to the last drop of blood.

After 1945, the Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to participants in the Korean (1950-1953) and Afghan (1979-1989) wars: 22 and 86 cavaliers, respectively, and until the 80s, awards to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War continued, which, for various reasons have not previously received a well-deserved award. Soviet cosmonauts also received the Star of the Hero (84 awards in total).

Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union

Hero of the Soviet Union - an honorary title, the highest degree of distinction in the USSR for services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed. Established by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the USSR of April 16, 1934, assigned by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (since March 1990 - by the President of the USSR).

The initial awarding of the Hero of the Soviet Union was marked by the presentation of the highest award of the USSR - the Order of Lenin and a special diploma of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR (since 1937 - diplomas of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR).

Diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on conferring the title Hero of the Soviet Union

For a special distinction of citizens awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 1, 1939 established Golden medal"Hero of the Soviet Union", in the form of a five-pointed star with the inscription on the reverse: "Hero of the USSR". It was established that the medal was awarded together with the Order of Lenin. When conferring this high rank for the second and third time, the award was provided only with a medal, while the Order of Lenin was not awarded.

To commemorate the exploits of the twice Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as the Hero of the Soviet Union, who was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, his bronze bust was installed in the homeland of the recipient.

Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin, awarded together with the award of the title

The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 22, 1988 "On improving the procedure for awarding state awards of the USSR" stated that the repeated awarding of the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Gold Star medal was not carried out, and bronze busts were not installed during the lifetime of the heroes.

The first Heroes of the Soviet Union were seven polar pilots: A.V. Lyapidevsky, S.A. Levanevsky, V.S. Molokov, N.P. Kamanin, M.T. Slepnev, M.V. Vodopyanov, I.V. Doronin. They were awarded this honorary title for rescuing passengers and crew in distress on the Chelyuskin steamer on April 20, 1934. In the same year, test pilot M.M. became Hero of the Soviet Union for setting a world record in flight distance. Gromov, and two years later - pilots, and. In 1938, the first women pilots, V.S., were awarded the highest degree of distinction. Grizodubova, P.D. Osipenko and M.M. Raskov.

The first Heroes of the Soviet Union (from left to right): S.A. Levanevsky, V.S. Molokov, M.T. Slepnev, N.P. Kamanin, M.V. Vodopyanov, A.V. Lyapidevsky, I.V. Doronin. 1934

Among those awarded in the 1930s were many Arctic explorers. The most famous of them was the four polar explorers: the head of the research station "North Pole" (SP-1) I.D. Papanin, radio operator E.T. Krenkel, oceanographer P.P. Shirshov and astronomer-magnetologist E.K. Fedorov.

The first assignment of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for military exploits took place on December 31, 1936. This award was awarded to 11 commanders of the Red Army - participants in the Spanish Civil War. Among the internationalist soldiers of that time, Lieutenant S.I. became famous. Gritsevets and Major G.P. Kravchenko, who then received a second Gold Star in the battles at Khalkhin Gol (August 1939). They became the first twice Heroes of the Soviet Union.

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 25, 1938, 22 commanders and 4 Red Army soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for military merit and military prowess.

In general, from April 1934 to April 1941, 626 people were awarded the highest degree of distinction. Including, for military exploits in the provision of international assistance in China - 14 people, Spain - 59 people, for heroism shown in the defense of the state border near Lake Khasan - 26, on the river. Khalkhin-Gol - 70, during the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939 - 1940. - 412 people, as well as 45 pilots and aviation navigators, scientists and researchers of the Arctic and the Far East, participants in high-latitude expeditions. During this period, five people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union twice.

During the Great Patriotic War, the first - on July 8, 1941, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the pilots of the 158th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 7th Fighter Air Defense Corps M.P. Zhukov, S.I. Zdorovtsev, P.T. Kharitonov, who rammed fascist aircraft on the outskirts of Leningrad. During the first period of the war alone, over 600 people earned the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The crushing blows of the Red Army against the Nazi troops were accompanied by examples of mass heroism and selflessness of the Soviet people. In February 1943, the name of Private A.M. Matrosov. All major military operations of the second period were accompanied by examples of courage and bravery. At this time, more than 3650 Soviet soldiers and 30 partisans and underground workers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Over 7 thousand new Heroes of the Soviet Union came to their glory and immortality during the third period of the Great Patriotic War, and more than 2800 of them were awarded a high title for their deeds committed during the final liberation of the Soviet land.

The courage of the Soviet soldiers, who distinguished themselves in carrying out the great international mission to liberate the peoples of Europe from Nazi slavery, deserved high appraisal.

The events of the apotheosis of war - the Berlin operation - are inscribed in the heroic chronicle with no less striking examples. The capture of the Seelow Heights, the crossing of the Oder and the Spree, fierce battles on the streets of Berlin and the assault on the Reichstag became new steps in the ascent to the mass heroism of Soviet soldiers. The selflessness of the Soviet people resulted in the exploits of not only individuals, but also entire squads, crews and subunits (a platoon of the Guards Lieutenant P.N. Shironin, a feat of 68 participants under command, and many others). Families also became heroes: brother and sister Kosmodemyansky, brothers Ignatov, Kurzenkov, Lizyukov, Lukanin, Panichkin, Glinka, uncle and nephew Gorodovikov ...

Famous generals and prominent military leaders have been awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union several times. He was awarded the Marshal of the Soviet Union four times. Twice - Marshals of the Soviet Union, P.K. Koshevoy, I.I. Yakubovsky, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, Air Chief Marshals -, P.S. Kutakhov, A.I. Koldunov, army generals -, A.P. Beloborodov, etc.

In total, over 11,600 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the heroic deeds committed during the Great Patriotic War, 115 of them twice, and two later, Air Marshals A.I. Pokryshkin and I.N. Kozhedub - three times. The legendary commander of the 1st Cavalry Army during the Civil War, the Knight of St. George and Marshal of the Soviet Union was also awarded three Golden Stars. Marshal of Victory - Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov was first awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1939 for leading the operation to encircle and destroy a group of Japanese troops in the area of ​​the Khalkhin Gol River, and was awarded the fourth Gold Star in December 1956.

Three times Heroes of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov (in the center), major generals of aviation A.I. Pokryshkin (left) and I.N. Kozhedub (right) on the territory of the Kremlin during the work of the session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Moscow, November 1957

Among the Heroes of the Soviet Union are representatives of more than 60 nationalities and nationalities of the USSR. Among them, 88 women. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was also awarded to a number of foreign citizens who distinguished themselves in the fight against the Nazi invaders.

Heroes of the Soviet Union - representatives of more than 60 nationalities

In the post-war years, the exploits of the Soviet people were associated with the development of the latest military equipment, peaceful penetration into space, the protection of state interests and borders, and the fulfillment of international duty. Among the test pilots who stood at the origins of the development of Soviet jet aviation were Heroes of the Soviet Union G.Ya. Bakhchivandzhi, M.I. Ivanov, M.L. Gallay, I.E. Fedorov, I.T. Ivashchenko, G.A. Sedov, G.K. Molosov and many others. From the biography of one of them, P.M. Stefanovsky, it is known that during his 30-year service in aviation, he mastered 317 types of aircraft and made 13.5 thousand flights.

The first Hero of the Soviet Union of the nuclear submarine fleet was the commander of the Leninsky Komsomol submarine, Captain 1st Rank L.G. Osipenko. For the conquest of the North Pole by the same submarine in the early 1960s, Rear Admiral A.I. Petelin, captain 2nd rank L.M. Zhiltsov, engineer-captain 2nd rank R.A. Timofeev was also awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 23, 1966, for the successful completion of a group transoceanic transition in a submerged position from Zapadnaya Litsa Bay (Murmansk region) to Krasheninnikov Bay (Kamchatka) through Cape Horn ( South America) a group of Soviet submariners: Rear Admiral A.I. Sorokin, captains of the 2nd rank V.T. Vinogradov, L.N. Stolyarov, N.V. Usenko, was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

On April 12, 1961, the whole world learned the name of a Soviet citizen officer who made an orbital flight around the Earth. Over the next quarter of a century, 60 Soviet cosmonauts went into space. All of them are Heroes of the Soviet Union, and more than half of them were awarded this title twice.

Meeting of the first Heroes of the Soviet Union with astronauts. Sitting: M.V. Vodopyanov, M.T. Slepnev, N.P. Kamanin, A.V. Lyapidevsky, V.S. Molokov. Standing: V.F. Bykovsky, G.S. Titov, Yu.A. Gagarin, V.V. Tereshkova, A.G. Nikolaev, P.R. Popovich

Selfless devotion to the Motherland and in peacetime put forward new Heroes of the Soviet Union from among the military. Among them, officers D.V. Leonov, I.I. Strelnikov and V.D. Bubenin, junior sergeant Yu.V. Babanskiy. Forever inscribed themselves in the heroic chronicle of the country and the soldiers who performed their international duty in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Among them are Colonels V.L. Neverov and V.E. Pavlov, lieutenant colonel E.V. Vysotsky, Major A.Ya. Oparin, captain N.M. Akramov, Senior Lieutenant A.I. Demakov, guard private N.Ya. Anfinogenov and many others. In total, during the years of the war in Afghanistan, 86 servicemen were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Many military leaders in peacetime for their great contribution to the construction and strengthening Armed Forces USSR, increasing the level of their combat readiness were awarded the highest degree of distinction. Titles of Hero of the Soviet Union received: Marshals of the Soviet Union, P.F. Batitsky, S.K. Kurkotkin, V.I. Petrov, ; army generals A.L. Getman, A.A. Epishev, M.M. Zaitsev, E.F. Ivanovsky, P.I. Ivashutin, P.G. Lushev, Yu.P. Maksimov, I.G. Pavlovsky, I.N. Shkadov; fleet admirals G.M. Egorov, V.A. Kasatonov, V.N. Chernavin; Colonel General A.S. Zheltov and others.

After the collapse of the USSR, the title "Hero of the Soviet Union" was abolished. Instead, on March 20, 1992, the title "Hero of the Russian Federation" was established in Russia, also awarded for outstanding deeds. Currently, the Heroes of the Soviet Union have the same rights as the Heroes of the Russian Federation.

On April 16, 1934, the Decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR established the highest degree of distinction - title of Hero of the Soviet Union, which was assigned for personal or collective services to the state associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed.

Initially, the Heroes of the Soviet Union were awarded a diploma from the Central Executive Committee of the USSR and were separately awarded the Order of Lenin. Since 1936, the Order of Lenin was awarded simultaneously with the title.

On August 1, 1939, the medal "Hero of the Soviet Union" was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Nobody has been awarded it.

October 16, 1939 the medal "Hero of the Soviet Union" was renamed " gold star medal". The drawing and description of the medal was approved. The drawing of the medal was developed by the artist I.I. Dubasov. All those who before October 16, 1939 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were awarded a new medal (several hundred people).

Description of the medal

The Gold Star medal is made of 900 gold and is a five-pointed star with dihedral rays on the front side. Beam length - 15 mm.

On the reverse side of the medal there is an embossed inscription "Hero of the USSR". In the upper beam of the star is the number of the medal.

Order ribbon - red, 20 mm wide.

Way of fastening and wearing

The medal is connected to a rectangular gilded silver block, which is covered with a red silk moire ribbon, with the help of an eyelet and a link. The block has a pin fastening.

The Gold Star medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union is supposed to be worn on the left side of the chest above the orders and medals of the USSR.

From the Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union :

“The title of Hero of the Soviet Union (GSS) is the highest degree of distinction and is awarded for personal or collective services to the Soviet state and society associated with the accomplishment of a heroic deed. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

From Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union May 14, 1973:

“A hero of the Soviet Union who has accomplished a heroic feat for the second time, no less than the one for which others who have accomplished a similar feat are awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, is awarded the Order of Lenin and the second Gold Star medal, and in commemoration of his exploits a bronze bust of the hero with a corresponding inscription is erected , installed in his homeland, which is recorded in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the award. The Hero of the Soviet Union, who was awarded two Gold Star medals, for new heroic deeds, similar to those previously accomplished, can be again awarded the order Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

(Until that time, according to the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 1, 1939, the second Order of Lenin was not awarded when awarded again.)

According to the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, three times the Heroes of the Soviet Union, in addition to three "Gold Stars" and a bust in their homeland, were awarded a bronze bust in the form of a column, installed in Moscow. However, this paragraph of the Decree was never implemented.

In 1988, the provision from 1973 was amended, and it was established that the Order of Lenin was awarded to the hero of the Soviet Union only upon the first award of the Gold Star medal.

For the first time the title of Hero of the Soviet Union On April 20, 1934, pilots were awarded: M. V. Vodopyanov, I. V. Doronin, N. P. Kamanin, S. A. Levanevsky, A. V. Lyapidevsky, V. S. Molokov and M. T. Slepnev who took part in the rescue of the crew of the Chelyuskin icebreaker. June 19, 1934 M. I. Kalinin presented awarded the order Lenin and a special letter from the Central Executive Committee.

The first twice Heroes of the Soviet Union were S. I. Gritsevets and G. P. Kravchenko on August 29, 1939 for the battles at Khalkhin Gol. On February 22, 1939, for the battles in Spain, they were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union - for the first time. S. I. Gritsevets was awarded the second Gold Star medal for rescuing the commander of the 70th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Major V. M. Zabaluev. Pursuing Japanese planes over enemy territory, Gritsevets saw V. M. Zabaluev descending by parachute, whose plane was shot down. S. I. Gritsevets landed in difficult conditions and took out the major in his fighter. In the 22nd Aviation Regiment, commanded by G.P. Kravchenko, there were 11 Heroes of the Soviet Union.

For two weeks fighting at Lake Khasan 26 people received the titles of Heroes of the Soviet Union.

Behind fighting at Khalkhin Gol 70 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, of which 21 soldiers received it posthumously. Among the Heroes of Khalkhin Gol is G.K. Zhukov, later four times Hero of the Soviet Union.

The first in the Great Patriotic War Pilots S. I. Zdorovtsev, M. P. Zhukov and P. T. Kharitonov, who rammed German bombers, were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on July 8, 1941.

85 Soviet pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union - made rams in the air, of which Lieutenant A.S. Khlobystov - three rams, and Senior Lieutenant B.I. Kovzan - four.

In the ground forces, the commander of the 1st motorized rifle division of the 20th Army, Colonel Ya. R. Kreizer, became the first Hero of the Soviet Union. His division destroyed 3,000 enemy soldiers and officers and about 70 tanks in three days of defensive battles on the Berezina.

The first sailor - Hero of the Soviet Union - was senior sergeant V.P. Kislyakov, assistant platoon commander, who distinguished himself in July 1941 during the landing in the area of ​​​​Zapadnaya Litsa in the Arctic.

The first Hero of the Soviet Union from the partisans was posthumously T. P. Bumazhkov - 1st Secretary of the Oktyabrsky District Committee of the Polessky Region Communist Party Belarus. During the Great Patriotic War, 190 partisans became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and the commanders of partisan formations S. A. Kovpak and A. F. Fedorov were twice heroes.

91 women became heroes of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War, including the legendary partisans Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, Liza Chaikina, snipers Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Maria Polivanova and Natalya Kovshova, pilots Marina Chechneva and Evgenia Rudneva and others.

On the Soviet-German front, anti-fascists from many states fought shoulder to shoulder with Soviet soldiers against the enemy. More than twenty of them became Heroes of the Soviet Union. Among them are French pilots from the Normandie-Niemen regiment, Czech captain Otakar Yarosh and others.

July 22, 1941 for the first time in the Great Patriotic war was awarded the Gold Star medal again. Pilot Lieutenant Colonel S.P. Suprun, commander of the 401st Special Purpose Fighter Aviation Regiment, who died in an unequal battle with six enemy fighters on July 4, became her cavalier posthumously.

The first cavalier of three "Gold Stars" A fighter pilot, later Air Marshal A. I. Pokryshkin, who made more than 600 sorties, 156 air battles and shot down 59 enemy aircraft, became a Hero of the Soviet Union. Also, a fighter pilot, later Colonel-General of Aviation I.N. Kozhedub, who made 330 sorties and shot down 62 enemy aircraft, became a hero of the Soviet Union three times.

After the war, Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov became four times Hero of the Soviet Union.

For exploits in the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal was awarded to more than 11,600 people.