The Order of the Red Star is an award known to everyone who is familiar with such an important and at the same time terrible event - the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. It is very interesting why they give the Order of the Red Star to soldiers who distinguished themselves in battles.
Establishment of the Order of the Red Star
The award of the Order of the Red Star became state after the Plenum of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR adopted and signed the Decree. This happened back in 1930, far from the war.
In the future, only various adjustments were made to the provisions on what the Order of the Red Star is given for. So, changes were made three times in the 40s, and the approval of the new edition of the order took place in 1980.
Status
The order was established by the government to reward distinguished citizens.
Thus, the Order of the Red Star for military merit was created to reward military personnel of the army and navy, as well as border guards, KGB officers and police chiefs.
For what the Order of the Red Star was awardedabove categories?
- For merit in organizing security at the border of the state.
- For the personal courage shown in battle, as well as for the leadership and excellent organization of the actions of subordinate military personnel, which led to success.
- For the courage and courage that were shown during the performance of duty in a situation where there was a threat to life.
- For causing significant damage to the enemy through the competent leadership of military units during combat.
- For the precise execution of command assignments and other feats accomplished, including in peace.
- For the training of personnel for the army and navy.
- For maintaining proper readiness of troops.
- For excellent achievements in personal, combat and political training.
- For the development of the scientific and technical industry, which makes it possible to strengthen the country's defense capability.
Obtaining the order was carried out only on the proposal from the top management of departments: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KGB or the Ministry of Defense.
It was supposed to be worn on the right side, after the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, if any.
What the award looked like
The Order of the Red Star had the shape of a five-pointed star and was covered with ruby enamel.
In the center there is a shield depicting Red Army soldiers in overcoats and Budyonovka hats, holding rifles in their hands. Along the edge of the shield one could read the inscription "Proletarians of all countries, unite", and along the bottom - "USSR". Under the shield was an image of a sickleand hammer. The edges of all elements of the award were oxidized.
For the manufacture of the order, high-grade silver was used. Each award took more than 27 grams of metal, and the weight of the order was a little over 30 grams.
It was small in size. The distance between the tops of the star was 47 or 50 cm and depended on the year in which the award was issued.
There was a threaded pin on the reverse side of the order. On the underside of the tunic, a flat nut was screwed onto the pin, holding the order on the chest.
The kit included a 24 mm wide moiré silk ribbon. A 5mm gray strip ran down the center of the ribbon.
At first, the order was worn on the left side, but later they introduced straps with ribbons that could be worn on the right side, and the award badge began to be attached to the other side.
History of the order: first decade
The award is the first among the Soviet and the second combat, given the time of establishment. The authors are the sculptor Golenetsky and the artist Kupriyanov.
The order has been awarded its history since 1930. The first to receive it was the well-known red commander, who later became Marshal of the Soviet Union, Vasily Konstantinovich Blucher. His merit was to repel the pressure of the Chinese army on the Chinese Eastern Railway.
After Blucher, a group of pilots who made a long flight on aircraft created by Soviet aircraft designers received the award. The flight route passed through Moscow, Ankara,Tiflis, Kabul and Tashkent. The final destination was again Moscow. The total length of the flight was more than 10 thousand kilometers. This is another example of what the Order of the Red Star is awarded for.
The inventor and engineer of the military industry Kovalev, servicemen Pavlunovsky, Karutsky and others also received the Order of the Red Star. The list of awardees in the decade before the Patriotic War can be listed for a long time.
Pre-war Order for Heroism
The test pilots who carried out flights and repairs of aircraft directly in the air deserved recognition, for which they received the Order of the Red Star. In this way, military personnel were awarded who did not perform any feats in the framework of hostilities, but distinguished themselves by heroic deeds committed for the country in peacetime. An excellent example: pilot Vykosa and navigator Erenkov during a winter flight were able to repair the landing gear directly in the air. Erenkov climbed onto the wing of the plane, Vykosa held him with his hands without special devices. Thanks to the courage and heroism of the pilots, the damage was repaired and the flight was completed successfully.
There was an experience of awarding the order to medical workers. It was received by Pyotr Vasilyevich Mandryka, head of the central hospital of the People's Commissar, for exemplary leadership and competent organization of medical affairs.
Awarding orders of aviation workers
In the pre-war period, it was aviation industry workers, pilots, navigators andtest engineers. So, for example, in 1933, mechanical engineers of the Air Force Aladinsky, Michugin, Gromov and others received the Order of the Red Star, timed to coincide with Aviation Day. Together with them, employees of military educational institutions that train personnel for the air force, and employees of the construction department, which was engaged in the creation of aviation equipment, were awarded.
Among the awarded employees of the aviation industry was the name of today's famous aircraft designer Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev. The wording that served to receive the order was as follows: "For the creation of a number of outstanding aircraft." But soon the outstanding engineer failed, he was arrested, and all the awards were confiscated. Just before the war, Tupolev was released, rehabilitated and able to return his awards. True, they had completely different numbers.
Assessing the merit of other industries
Along with the aviation industry, the extraction of precious materials played an important role at that time. The order was awarded to the head of the gold mining department, Serebrovsky, for the fact that, under his strict guidance, the enterprise exceeded the metal mining program for 1934.
In the next two years, workers in the missile and tank industries were appreciated. Orders were received by technicians, tank drivers, who distinguished themselves by excellent combat skills and the successful development of political training. For example, the tanker Oshkaderov received an award for 800hours of trouble-free tank control.
Among others, employees of newspapers also received Red Stars. In the forefront, the team of the newspaper of the same name was awarded. He was noted for his special achievements in providing training and the fleet. Later, "Red Star" received other medals.
Order of the Red Star of the Second World War
During World War II, the number of recipients of the award increased by more than two million. One of the first to be awarded the order was the radio operator Belovol, who was in the rank of junior sergeant. He single-handedly managed to shoot down 3 enemy aircraft while returning a group of Soviet aircraft from a mission.
Participants of the Second World War, awarded the Order of the Red Star, were distinguished by their heroism and selflessness. Among them were not only outstanding military personnel, but also entire army formations, and military units and subunits.
The Order of the Red Star of the Second World War was received by both officers who distinguished themselves by competent command of battles, and ordinary soldiers, sergeants and corporals for their heroism in defending the Motherland.
Heroes awarded the Order of the Red Star
In the USSR there were many heroes who received the Order of the Red Star. The list of awardees also contains the names of celebrities. For example, aircraft designer A. N. Tupolev distinguished himself by creating a unique aircraft, and actor V. A. Etush participated in the defense of Rostov and Ukraine.
Participants of the Second World War, awarded the Order of the Red Star, were also present among foreign citizens. The merits of warriors from England, Africa, Italy, as well as the bravepeace fighters among the US military. In total, more than 180 citizens of foreign countries were awarded during the Great Patriotic War.
Knowing what a feat people have done for their Motherland for many decades, the question of why they give the Order of the Red Star to one or another engineer, officer or soldier becomes simple.
Other military awards of the Soviet Union
During the Soviet era, a number of medals were established, which were awarded to military personnel of the army, navy, internal troops and border guards. Among them, the medals "For Courage" and "For Military Merit" received special honor. They were received by those who showed courage and courage in the fight against enemies for the safety of borders, the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
For sailors, midshipmen and officers of the Navy, separate medals were established: the name of Admirals Ushakov and Nakhimov.
During the Great Patriotic War, after the successful defense of cities from invaders, the head of the Union, Iosif Vissarionovich, issued orders to award the medal "For the Defense of the City" to especially distinguished soldiers and residents of the liberated cities. So, the defenders of Leningrad, Sevastopol, Moscow, Stalingrad and other cities of the country received awards.
