The Medal “For Courage” is a state award of the USSR, the Russian Federation and Belarus.

The medal “For Courage” was established by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in October 1938. At the same time, the position and design of the medal were approved.

Servicemen of the Red Army, Navy, internal and border troops were awarded for their personal courage and bravery in defending the country and performing military duty. This combat medal could also be presented to those who did not hold the USSR citizenship.

From the very moment it was introduced, the medal “For Courage” was particularly popular and appreciated among front line soldiers, since this medal was awarded exclusively for personal bravery shown during the fighting. This was the main difference between this award and some other Soviet orders and medals, which were often awarded “for participation”.

Most of the medals “For Courage” were issued to rank and file and non-commissioned personnel of the Red Army, however, it was also bestowed upon some officers (mainly junior officers). Senior officers and generals were seldom awarded this medal.

The medal’s design was created by the artist Sergey Ivanovich Dmitriev, and the engraver was S.S. Stepanov.

The new combat medal was awarded for the first time on October 19, 1938. According to the signed decree, 62 servicemen were presented with the medal. Among the first recipients was Lieutenant Vasily Ivanovich Abramkin.

During the Great Patriotic War, the medal “For Courage” was regularly bestowed upon the soldiers. In total, 4,230,000 medals were awarded for the feats performed during the Great Patriotic War. Many Soviet soldiers were presented to it several times.

The second largest mass presentation of the medal took place during the Soviet-Afghan war. Thousands of Soviet soldiers and officers who took part in this conflict were awarded various military badges of distinction, including this medal. In total, 4,569,893 medals were awarded before the fall of the Soviet Union.

In Russia, the medal was established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 1994.