Among the medals of the Great Patriotic War a special place belongs to the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”. The medal was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on December 22, 1942. It was awarded to all participants of the defense of the city — servicemen of the Red Army, Navy and People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs troops, as well as persons from the civilian population who took direct part in the defense. The period of defense of Stalingrad is considered to be July 12 — November 19, 1942. In total 759560 people were awarded this medal.

Medal number 1 was awarded to the commander of the 64th Army M.S. Shumilov.

Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was one of the first Soviet medals on a pentagonal plate. Worn on the left side of the chest and in the presence of other medals is located after the medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol”.