The Gold Star (Hero of the Soviet Union)

The Order of Victory

Instituted in November 1943, this award is the highest military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to only the most senior military commanders. It is awarded to those who have made an outstanding leadership contribution at the highest command level, conducting combat actions on one or more fronts resulting in victory for the Red Army.
The award is a five-pointed platinum star, inset with five faceted rubies forming a second star, which is studded with 174 diamonds. The centre is a pure gold depiction of the Kremlin Spassky Tower. The ribbon is multi coloured. This medal was the most exotic and costly award produced by any country during WWII.

The Order of Lenin

Instituted in April 1930, the Order of Lenin was awarded for outstanding service to the Soviet Union.
The award is a circular pure gold badge bearing a portrait of Lenin and surrounded by a gold wreath. Also inset are the hammer and sickle and the Soviet star. The ribbon is red, edged with thin gold stripes.
For subsequent awards the recipient receives a further Order of Lenin.

Order of the Red Banner

Instituted in August 1924, the Order of the Red Banner was awarded to officers and men of the Red army, navy and air force for outstanding bravery contributing the success of Soviet forces.
The award is a silver oval badge. Golden oak leaves surround a plough, bayonet and hammer overlaid with a golden hammer and sickle. Above this is a red banner. The ribbon is striped white and red.
For subsequent awards the recipient receives a further medal with a plaque denoting the number of times subsequently awarded.

Order of Suvorov

Instituted in July 1942, the Order of Suvorov was awarded to senior commanders for outstanding successes in leading troops. The order given in three classes, 1st in platinum, 2nd in gold and 3rd in silver.
The award was a five-pointed rayed star. The central medallion bears a portrait of Alexander Suvorov resting on oak leaves. The ribbons were green with orange stripes relating to the class of medal awarded, one for 1st, two for 2nd and three for 3rd.

Order of Kutuzov

Instituted in July 1942, the Order of Kutuzov was awarded to senior commanders for the planning and execution of operations leading to the defeat of the enemy, which do not qualify for the Order of Suvorov.
The order was awarded in three classes, gold and platinum for 1st, silver for 2nd and silver again but of reduced size for 3rd.
The award was a ten-pointed semi rayed star. The central medallion bears a portrait of Marshal Kutuzov topped by the Spassky tower under a Soviet star. The ribbons were blue with orange stripes relating to the class of medal awarded, one for 1st, two for 2nd and three for 3rd.

Order of Khmelnitsky

Instituted in October 1943, the order was awarded to Soviet military personnel and partisan leaders who distinguished themselves in battle.
The order was awarded in three classes, gold and silver for 1st, silver for 2nd and silver again but of reduced size for 3rd.
The award was a ten-pointed semi rayed star. The central medallion bears a portrait of Bogdan Khmelnitsky holding a mace. The ribbons were light blue with white stripes relating to the class of medal awarded, one for 1st, two for 2nd and three for 3rd.

Order of the Patriotic War

Instituted in May 1942, the order was awarded to officers and men of the Red army, navy, air force and partisan units who showed great heroism and courage in battle. A 2nd class order was awarded for acts of heroism and courage not sufficient to merit the 1st class award.
The award was a red enamelled five-pointed star with the hammer and sickle on a circular central medallion. This is backed with a rayed five-pointed star, gold for 1st class and silver for 2nd class, with a crossed sword and rifle. The ribbons were claret with red stripes relating to the class of medal awarded, one for 1st, two for 2nd class.

Order of the Red Star

Instituted in April 1930, the order was awarded to officers and men of the Red army for outstanding services performed in the defence of the Soviet Union.
The award was a red enamelled star edged with silver. A central medallion in silver depicts a soldier standing guard. The ribbon is red with a central stripe of blue.
For subsequent acts of gallantry additional stars were awarded.

The Order of Glory

Instituted in November 1943, it was awarded to junior ranks of the Red army and air force for distinguished acts of heroism. Examples were, being the first to enter an enemy position, disabling two tanks with an anti tank gun or one tank with a hand held grenade, to save the life of his commander at the risk of his own life, or killing at least ten enemy soldiers. The order was awarded in three classes, gold for 1st, silver and gold for 2nd and silver for 3rd class, depending on the act or number of acts of
The award was a five-pointed star with a central medallion inset with a depiction of the Spassky Tower surrounded by laurel leaves. The ribbon was the same for all three classes, orange with black stripes.

Medal for Valour

Instituted in October 1938, it was awarded to officers and men of the Red army, navy, air force and partisan units for personal valour and courage in battle.
The award was a silver medallion, depicting a tank with aircraft flying overhead and the words for valour inscribed. The ribbon was grey with blue edge stripes.

The following texts are examples of citations of those members of the Red Army who recieved awards for bravery and distinguished service.

Colonel Dimitri Mikhailovich Rumyantsev

Colonel Dimitri Mikhailovich Rumyantsev was born in 1914 near Moscow. In 1936, he was drafted into the Russian Army where he trained as a sapper and served with the 5th Independent Sapper Battalion until his release from duty in December 1938 at the rank of 1st Sergeant.
In March 1939, he was recalled to duty, and in 1940, he graduated from the Engineering School with the rank of Junior Lieutenant. He reported to the 410th Sapper Battalion as a Company Commander, with whom he served at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
On the 2nd November 1941, he was heavily wounded in combat. After three months in hospital, he returned to the front as the Senior Adjutant for the 164th Independent Sapper Battalion, 52nd Rifle Division.
During the War, he served on the Western, Kalinin, Steppe and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts. In 1943, he was promoted to become the commander of the 164th Independent Sapper Batallion.
When the war ended, he was transferred to the 304th Independent Sapper Battalion as commander in September 1945. Throughout the war he served with considerable distinction and received many awards. His citations are as follows:

Medal For Military Merit:

"On 8th May 1943 he prepared a group of sapper/scouts and personally provided for four raids into the enemy's defences. He personally managed the crossing of the scouts over the North Donets River. He obtained information about 13 enemy concrete-fortified emplacements, a 1.5km long barbed wire barrier and a 700m trench".
"During the night of 25th May 1943, he developed a plan of action for a diversionary group to blow up a bridge in the enemy's rear front. He guided the group to the right bank of the North Donets River and provided for the destruction of the bridge, 0.5km east of the village of Peschanaya. At 2 P.M. on 27th May 1943, the bridge was blown up."

Order of the Patriotic War, Second Class:

"Captain Rumyantsev served at the front during the Patriotic War from 26th June 1941. He served in the units of the Division from the first days of its formation. He was promoted to Battalion Commander from Senior Adjutant in July 1943. During his command of the battalion, he has displayed skill and initiative, using all battle methods at the disposal of the battalion. From 8th August 1943 until 25th Sept 1943, during the Division's offensive from the North Donets River, Comrade Rumyantsev bravely moved forward the battalion's sub-units to provide clear paths for the offensive units.
"Under his personal management, while under enemy artillery and aerial attack, he arranged the crossing of the North Donets River and provided for the fast transfer across the river of units of the 52nd and 19th Rifle Divisions. While moving, he skilfully placed groups of sappers to remove mines before the village of Rubezhnoe, Volchansk Region, Kharkov Oblast. His men removed and neutralized 670 antitank mines and 800 antipersonnel mines.
"Under the personal management of comrade Rumyantsev during the same period of time, in front of the advancing units, 19 bridges were built under strong enemy artillery fire and aerial attacks. On the 13th of August 1943 across the Uda River, on 23rd August 1943 near the village of Vodyanoe, on 30th August 1943 across the Uzha River, on 1st Sept. 1943 near the village of Timchenko, on 14th Sept. 1943 near the village of Yanyazhnoe and on the Orel River, Kharkov Oblast.
"On 7th August 1943, during sapper work on Hill 198.9 near the village of Aksyutovka, Zmievsk Region, Kharkov Oblast, the battalion was attacked by the enemy who had moved around the flanks of the 429th Rifle Regiment. Units under the command of Comrade Rumyantsev repelled the enemy counterattack with only minor casualties to the sappers.
"During the period of November - December 1943, during the offensive of the division on Petrovo, Grafit, Mariyampol, and on the defensive near the village of Aeishelovka, Bairak, Petrovo Region, Kirovograd Oblast, neutralized 3538 antitank and 4192 antipersonnel mines, dug 7km of trenches, and placed 2878m of "Bruno" wire.
"During the battle near the village of Kotovka, Petrovsk Region, Kirovograd Oblast from 24th to 27th January 1944, Capt. Rumyantsev was with the active units and personally managed the opening of 7 passes through the barbed wire and 9 passes through the enemy minefields.
"At the right time, he skilfully marked places for mine placement and "Bruno" wire in case of possible enemy counterattacks, as a result of which the enemy who tried embittered counterattacks ran into the minefields and "Bruno" wire with major losses of personnel and equipment.
"Capt. Rumyantsev in his work, took care of improving the qualifications of the battalion's personnel every day, and skilfully passed on his knowledge and military experience.
"For skilfully using methods of battle, initiative and displaying during battles with the enemy, skilful management of personnel and well defended work that significantly increased the battle efficiency of the units and provided for successful military work of the Division's subunits, Captain Rumyantsev deserves to be awarded with the State Award, Order of the Great Patriotic War 2nd Class."

Order of the Red Star:

"During the march across the barren desert from Choybalsan to the Great Khinghan [mountain range], in the most difficult conditions, Comrade Rumyantsev obtained water so that the crossing, without a local water supply, could take place. This provided for the Division's fast advance.
"Comrade Rumyantsev proceeded ahead of the advancing units of the Division, and constructed crossings over the passes of the Great Khinghan. He accomplished this by building three primary roads of brushwood across the swamp, making the decent from the mountain less costly on men and machinery.
"During the march across China into Kaila, Comrade Rumyantsev greatly assisted the Division in the forcing of tempestuous rivers. This was seen best when he found the secure fords across the Lyaokha River.
"Comrade Rumyantsev deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Star."
Order of Kutuzov, Third Class:
"From 17th March 1945, during the breakthrough of the strongly reinforced enemy defences in the wooded-mountain territory in the region of Kekhen'yash, Komarnovskog District, west of Budapest, the battalion under the command of Comrade Rumyantsev, cleared routes through mine fields and wooded obstructions for the advancing division. His excellent sapper work helped the units to successfully carry out their mission.
"During the breakthrough of the enemy's defences, his unit cleared 250 anti-tank mines and 100 anti personnel mines from our minefields and 685 anti-tank mines from the minefields of the enemy, cleared 3 wooded obstacles, built a crossing for 1 enemy antitank ditch, and rebuilt the destroyed bridgehead over the Altul River.
"For the skilful management of the battalion during the breaking of the enemy's defences and for providing uninterrupted movement of the division across minefields, he deserves the State Award, the Order of Kutusov 3rd Class."

Order of the Red Banner:

"During the Division's offensive operations from 29th February to 27th March 1944, in the direction of Kirovograd-Krivorozhsk and forward to the South Bug River, Comrade Rumyantsev bravely moved the battalion's units and provided safe routes for the offensive units of the division, skilfully using all equipment at his disposal and the combined experience of his personnel, which resulted in the following:
"During the battle near the villages of Porfirovko and Voikovka, Petrovsk Region, Kirovograd Oblast from 27th February to 3rd March 1944, Captain Rumyantsev's battalion quickly built defences from enemy counterattacks for the lead units of the offensive, by strategically emplacing 522 anti-tank mines.
"On 28th February 1944, in battle near the villages of Kalinobataya and Porfirovka, Captain Rumyantsev discovered and neutralized 3 enemy anti-tank minefields, removing 438 anti-tank and 135 anti-personnel mines.
"Skilfully using all means of fighting the enemy, Comrade Rumyantsev and his battalion were often in the front of the fighting units of the division.
"Prior to the arrival of the lead elements of the Division on the frontlines, he removed and neutralized 417 enemy anti-tank, and 335 anti-personnel mines. Additionally, they demined 3 warehouses, which provided security for the advancing units.
"Ahead of the advancing units, 6 fortified areas, 4 bridges and 60km of road were scouted. Under personnel observation of Captain Rumyantsev, eight bridges were built, four of which were built under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire over the Ingul, Lozovatka and Bokovaya Rivers, in Kirovograd Oblast.
"Providing for the urgent crossing of the offensive army across the Ingul River near the village of Sednevka, Kirovograd Oblast, Ustinov Region, the battalion under the command of Comrade Rumyantsev moved ahead of the infantry and began fighting the enemy, preventing the Germans from blowing up the complete bridge, taking only minor casualties. That night, the battalion rebuilt the destroyed bridge segment. This made the urgent crossing of the army and the uninterrupted pursuit of the enemy possible.
"Using all means available to build crossings on the right bank of the South Bug River, 1.5km north of the village of Aleksandrovka, Voznesensk Region, Odessa Oblast from 20th to 23rd March 1944, Comrade Rumyantsev displayed initiative and scouted a new crossing place within the village of Aleksandrovka. Ignoring continual heavy enemy machine gun, mortar and artillery fire which targeted the crossing; he bravely organized the crossing over a three-day period.
"During the night of 25-26th March 1944, under direct and converging heavy enemy fire, he displayed personal valour and courage as he organized the transporting and securing of a rope for a raft crossing on the right bank of the river under strongly fortified enemy emplacements. Not waiting for the required bridging equipment, he used only materials which he had acquired from the local area.
"By early morning on 26th March 1944, the first formations of the storm units of the 429th and 431st Rifle Regiments were transported across the river. These units routed the enemy from the strongly reinforced right bank, storming the high ground opposite the village, opening the way for the units of the 52nd Rifle Division and others to cross the South Bug River.
"For the skilful management of the battalion and the ingenious use of battle materials at his disposal, for conducting exemplary military actions in the most difficult conditions of battle, which provided for the success of the 52nd, and neighbouring 19th and 58th Rifle Divisions, and decidedly influenced the favourable outcome of the crossing of the important German defensive line of the South Bug River, Captain Rumyantsev deserves the State Award, the Order of the Red Banner."

Hero of the Soviet Union:

"On 12th April 1944, units of the 52nd Rifle Division, with their full complement of troops approached the Dnestr River and took up positions on the east bank near the village of Vichek, Tiraspolskogo Region, Odessa Oblast.
"Our scouts located strongly fortified enemy positions on the right bank of the river including dugouts and trenches. The units of the Division received orders to cross the Dnestr River, rout the enemy from the strongly fortified area and occupy Hill 65.1, which guarded the narrowest crossing points.
"Captain Rumyantsev personally reconnoitred the crossing areas, and, ignoring heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, which raked the entire bank, he personally led the battalion's personnel with great heroism, inspiring them to bravely stockpile supplies and establish the staging areas.
"Comrade Rumyantsev skilfully led the Sapper Battalion and shortly constructed an improvised means for the river crossing.
"Despite a shortage of transportation, Captain Rumyantsev collected available vehicles and quickly transported 25 rubber boats, which had been captured from the enemy during the battle for the village of Tsebrikov, Odessa Oblast, to the crossing points.
"While organizing the initial crossings of the Storm detachments of the 429th and 431st Rifle Regiments, Captain Rumyantsev disregarded the fact that 15 of the rubber boats were destroyed by enemy fire and did not allow even one death to the crossing soldiers and officers.
"When enemy artillery fire disabled 4 officers of the Sapper Battalion, Captain Rumyantsev did not stop working, despite the direct danger. Enemy artillery fire destroyed the rope across the river four times. Ignoring death, he carried the rope the fifth time across the Dnestr River and secured it on the right bank of the river.
"At the same time the river crossing was taking place, the Sapper Battalion prepared boats for the crossing of the artillery units, necessary communication equipment, and ammunition.
"Because of the heroic actions of Captain Rumyantsev, as commander of the Sapper Battalion, the personnel of the battalion fully carried out their military mission of crossing the Dnestr River and providing for the assault units that directly assisted in the capture of the village of Gura-Bukiliy and the capturing of the bridgehead behind the village with honour.
"For heroic behaviour in the battle to cross the Dnestr River, for providing the transfer across the river for the assault sub-units of the 429th and 431st Rifle Regiments which tore the enemy's line of defence and captured the bridgehead, for inspiring the assault units that helped to crush the enemy by personal heroic behaviour, for capturing an especially fortified line of enemy defence, and for getting across the massive water barrier, making the crossing possible not only for the 52nd Rifle Division but for other units of the Corps, Captain Rumyantsev deserves to be awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union."