The highest degree of honor in the USSR for performing a military feat was the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The title was established in 1934. A special distinctive sign for the Heroes of the Soviet Union, the medal “Gold Star”, was established only in 1939. A person who was honored with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union twice, it was decided to put a bronze bust in his homeland. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded “for personal or collective services to the state, associated with the performance of a heroic feat”.

Most of the titles of Hero of the Soviet Union were awarded during the Great Patriotic War. For feats performed during the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 11 thousand 657 people (including 3,051 posthumously), including 108 twice (including 8 posthumously). The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 126 soldiers of the Red Army for their heroic deeds in the Battle of Stalingrad.