Hero of the Soviet Union - how proud these words sound. This honorary title could only be received by the elect, who distinguished themselves by certain merits or accomplished a feat. On April 16, 1934, the Central Executive Committee established the title "Hero of the USSR" for the first time. The recipient was given the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Let's remember how many heroes there were, who was the first to receive a medal and much more.
All about the highest award
The most important award of the USSR - the star "Hero of the Soviet Union" - appeared in 1939. At first, it was as an additional distinction for those who were awarded the highest degree of distinction. Then it was called differently: "Golden Star". It is made of gold, hallmark 950, and on its reverse side it says "Hero of the USSR".
Gold medal was given for special merits and for accomplished feats. Heroes were those who shot down planes (at least 15 pieces), saved people. Air gunners-bombers could receive the "Gold Star" for 8 enemy aircraft shot down in the air.
The youngest Hero of the SovietUnion - partisan Valentin Kotik. He was 14 years old at the time, but he was a brave pioneer. In 1943 Kotick was able to kill an officer and raise the alarm. Thanks to him, the enemies were discovered and defeated.
Today, the medal "Gold Star" - "Hero of the Soviet Union" - can even be found on sale, from shady antique dealers. Of course, it is not cheap.
The First Hero of the Soviet Union
Anatoly Lyapidevsky is a famous Soviet pilot. He was a major general in aviation. Today, almost no one remembers him, but in vain. After all, he was the first Hero of the Soviet Union. Anatoly Lyapidevsky received the Gold Star medal - "Hero of the Soviet Union" - had 3 Orders of Lenin and many other awards. He received the star in April 1934 for rescuing Chelyuskin polar explorers. He was looking for them, having made 29 flights in bad weather (there was a terrible snowstorm). In March, he nevertheless found them, landed the plane on a thin ice floe and saved 12 people, including women and two children. Then he participated in the Great Patriotic War, where he received the rest of his awards.
Many believe that the first Hero of the Soviet Union passed away too banally. Such a difficult and thorny path has passed and survived. And then he was at the funeral of a colleague, where he caught a bad cold. They could not cure him, and on April 29, 1983 he died.
In honor of Lyapidevsky A. V., a postage stamp of the USSR was issued in 1935. In Russia and Ukraine, many streets are named after him. A memorial plaque was installed at the school where the first Hero of the Soviet Union studied, and in 1990in the village of Belaya Glina a monument was erected in his honor.
Heroes of the Soviet Union: women
There were not many of them, only 95 people who were awarded this title. Some women - Heroes of the Soviet Union were even able to receive the title twice. Some were awarded posthumously, others live today. Let's remember who had the Golden Star award of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
The first woman to receive the high title of Hero of the USSR is Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was awarded the medal posthumously. Zoya managed to burn the communication of the Germans, so that they could not interact with their units. The next time, Zoya also tried to set fire, but she failed. She was caught and brutally tortured. However, Zoya did not even say her name. She turned out to be a real partisan. When she was led to the gallows, all beaten, covered in blood, she walked with her head held high. When she was being prepared for hanging, she managed to shout that the Germans would not defeat the Soviet Union, and her comrades would avenge their fighting friend. And so it happened. And after her, other heroic women received a high rank.
Maria Baida - worked as a sanitary instructor in the second battalion. It was the 514 Infantry Regiment.
Gnilitskaya Nina - was a scout in the 383rd Infantry Division.
Kovshova Natalya - was a very good sniper in the 528th Infantry Regiment (Red Army soldier, awarded posthumously).
Tatiana Kostyrina - junior sergeant, excellent sniper of the 691st Infantry Regiment.
Elena Stempkovskaya - junior sergeant, awarded posthumously. She was a radio operator in the 216 Infantry Regiment.
Maria Semyonovna Polivanova - a Red Army soldier, was a sniper in the 528 Infantry Regiment.
Svetlana Savitskaya - she was awarded twice. She is the first woman astronaut to go into outer space. Svetlana Savitskaya - Aviation Major. She retired in 1993.
All these women are Heroes of the Soviet Union who deserve respect. After all, they went through a very difficult and glorious path.
Who was the last Hero of the Soviet Union?
Solodkov Leonid Mikhailovich, the commander of a group of divers, turned out to be the last hero who was given the "Gold Star" of the Hero for the successful completion of a special task. Leonid showed himself courageous, showed heroism, and in December 1991 he was awarded the title "Hero of the Soviet Union".
After Solodkov had a high rank, the next day the Soviet Union was gone. Thus, Leonid Mikhailovich turned out to be the last Hero. He was given an award 22 days after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Unfortunately, the "Gold Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union has never been awarded to anyone else.
How many Heroes of the Soviet Union were there
During the existence of the USSR, about 13,000 people were awarded the honorary title of "Hero of the Soviet Union". Some were deprived of this privilege for discrediting acts (72 cases). 154 people were awarded twice. Kozhedub, Pokryshkin and Budyonny received awards three times. There are twoa person who was awarded 4 times for services to the Motherland - L. I. Brezhnev and G. K. Zhukov.
All these heroes distinguished themselves by their services to the Soviet Union and the public. In one way or another, they performed feats that are worthy of respect. The Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union was justly received by them.
Even before the start of the war, 626 citizens received such an honorary title. All other heroes appeared from the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. These were not only Russian or Ukrainian citizens, but also representatives of other nationalities, of which 44 people received the "Gold Star".
Famous Heroes of the Soviet Union
You can give examples of other names that may not sound so often.
Pavel Shcherbinko is a lieutenant colonel who was a commander in an anti-tank artillery regiment.
Vladimir Aksyonov is an engineer aboard the spacecraft. He has two "Gold Stars".
Stepan Artyomenko - was a commander in a rifle battalion, twice awarded for military exploits.
Leonid Beda - at first he was an assistant commander, and then he himself began to command the 75th Guards Regiment. He was awarded the Hero's Gold Medal twice.
Afanasy Pavlantievich Beloborodov - he commanded the 43rd Army and was awarded a medal twice.
Mikhail Bondarenko - was a commander and navigator in an aviation regiment, for which he was twice awarded a high rank.
Anatoly Brandys - at first he was a deputy commander, and then he himself began to lead a squadron of an aviation regiment. He deserved twoGold medal.
Vladislav Volkov - was an engineer on board the spacecraft, awarded twice.
Arseniy Vorozheykin - commanded a squadron in a fighter aviation regiment, had two Gold medals..
Vasily Glazunov - was a commander in the Guards Rifle Corps. He was awarded twice with the Gold Medal and a high rank.
Sergey Denisov - commanded a detachment of fighter aviation brigades.
Vasily Zaitsev is a navigator and commander in the Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. He was a Major in the Guards and received the title of Hero of the USSR twice.
That's how many Heroes of the Soviet Union. And that is not all. We have listed the most famous who became famous for their courage and heroism.
What benefits were provided to citizens who received an honorary title?
Today, there are certain privileges for citizens who have this title. Benefits for Heroes of the Soviet Union who were under the USSR:
1. They are exempt from various types of taxes, fees and other deductions to the budget.
2. In medical institutions, Heroes of the USSR have the right to be treated free of charge.
3. Free travel on all types of urban and suburban transport (taxi not included).
4. Their state should provide free medicines with home delivery (if the doctor has made the necessary conclusion).
5. Free dental treatment and prosthetics (only in public dentistry).
6. Every year they should be given a free ticket to a sanatorium or dispensary.
7. Heroes are eligible for utility and housing benefits.
8. They have the right to receive a telephone connection without a queue.
9. The children of heroes have the right to provide the relevant documents to the funeral service in order to bury their parent at the expense of the state.
10. If the Hero dies, and his child is a full-time student, then the state is obliged to pay the child a cash reserve.
Conclusion
The "Hero of the Soviet Union" award was received by those citizens who really deserved it. It is they who teach us to love our Motherland. They served her and were ready to risk their lives, if only everything was fine with their compatriots. How can you forget Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, who until her last breath screamed in the face of the Germans, how she hates them and knows that the Soviet Union will win. They beat her with sticks, rods, tore off her nails, but the Germans did not even recognize her real name. There were thousands of such heroes. They knew who they were fighting for and what they were defending. The heroes who received the award under the USSR were brave, determined and worthy of great respect.
Today there are fewer and fewer patriots who are ready to give their lives for their Motherland. The thoughts and views of people have become completely different. Perhaps this is because the time is calmer, not like in the Great Patriotic War. Yes, many do not understand why fight if you can live peacefully. But, as they say, to each his own.
