The Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class is one of the most important military awards of the Soviet Army. It was awarded for deeds of valour and courage on the battlefield, destruction of important enemy facilities and yet another thirty feats, which are described in detail in its special document.
The history of the Order, 1st Class began in the spring of 1942. It was then that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief gave a task to create an award for military valour. Two artists were involved in developing its external image: Sergei Dmitriev and Aleksandr Kuznetsov. The first models were produced and submitted for approval within a week. On 20 May 1942, the order was approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. And on 2 June, the order was awarded to its first heroes – Soviet artillery men.
The soldiers of the 32nd guards regiment were to contain the advance of two hundred enemy tanks towards Kharkov. The battle continued for two days without a break. The fighters greatly exceeded the requirements of the order statute. Commander Ivan Krikliy personally destroyed 5 tanks, whereas the order was supposed to be awarded for one destroyed machine. Senior lieutenant Alexey Smirnov was badly wounded but continued to shell enemy tanks. These and other soldiers of the unit were the first to be awarded this highest order for valour and gallantry in action.
The Order of the Patriotic War became exceptional from many perspectives. This was the first award established during the Great Patriotic War, the first mark of distinction divided into two classes. The first order in the USSR, whose description thoroughly specified thirty heroic deeds, which were worthy of the award. After the death of an awarded military man, the order remained with the family, whereas most awards had to be returned to the government at that time.
The order very often was awarded directly on combat posts as commanders were entitled to confer it. The award was delivered to the recipient within few days of the feat. In some situations, entire units were awarded the order, 1st class, who displayed valour in a key military campaign. The entire crew of submarine K-21 was awarded for its onslaught on battleship Tirpitz. All members of the assault group under the command of lieutenant Annaklych Ataev was posthumously awarded the order. That unit held a domineering high ground in the enemy’s defence for two days until reinforcement came.
During the war over three hundred thousand people were awarded this highest order. Another scores of thousands of military men were awarded when the war was already over. The total number of those who were awarded the military and jubilee order were over two million people. The order was conferred not only on people but also on military units, military schools and plants which provided the front with weapons and equipment. Besides, a lot of Russian cities and towns and the Slovak village Sclabinya were awarded this order.
The order’s external image was changed a few times during the years. The first issue was made of gold and silver and had a suspension eye. From June 1943, the second type came into being. It was fixed with a screw. The third one was timed for the 40th anniversary of the Victory. The order was made of silver and called ‘jubilee’. This award was conferred on all those war participants who survived until 1985.
The history of the Order, 1st Class began in the spring of 1942. It was then that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief gave a task to create an award for military valour. Two artists were involved in developing its external image: Sergei Dmitriev and Aleksandr Kuznetsov. The first models were produced and submitted for approval within a week. On 20 May 1942, the order was approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. And on 2 June, the order was awarded to its first heroes – Soviet artillery men.
The soldiers of the 32nd guards regiment were to contain the advance of two hundred enemy tanks towards Kharkov. The battle continued for two days without a break. The fighters greatly exceeded the requirements of the order statute. Commander Ivan Krikliy personally destroyed 5 tanks, whereas the order was supposed to be awarded for one destroyed machine. Senior lieutenant Alexey Smirnov was badly wounded but continued to shell enemy tanks. These and other soldiers of the unit were the first to be awarded this highest order for valour and gallantry in action.
The Order of the Patriotic War became exceptional from many perspectives. This was the first award established during the Great Patriotic War, the first mark of distinction divided into two classes. The first order in the USSR, whose description thoroughly specified thirty heroic deeds, which were worthy of the award. After the death of an awarded military man, the order remained with the family, whereas most awards had to be returned to the government at that time.
The order very often was awarded directly on combat posts as commanders were entitled to confer it. The award was delivered to the recipient within few days of the feat. In some situations, entire units were awarded the order, 1st class, who displayed valour in a key military campaign. The entire crew of submarine K-21 was awarded for its onslaught on battleship Tirpitz. All members of the assault group under the command of lieutenant Annaklych Ataev was posthumously awarded the order. That unit held a domineering high ground in the enemy’s defence for two days until reinforcement came.
During the war over three hundred thousand people were awarded this highest order. Another scores of thousands of military men were awarded when the war was already over. The total number of those who were awarded the military and jubilee order were over two million people. The order was conferred not only on people but also on military units, military schools and plants which provided the front with weapons and equipment. Besides, a lot of Russian cities and towns and the Slovak village Sclabinya were awarded this order.
The order’s external image was changed a few times during the years. The first issue was made of gold and silver and had a suspension eye. From June 1943, the second type came into being. It was fixed with a screw. The third one was timed for the 40th anniversary of the Victory. The order was made of silver and called ‘jubilee’. This award was conferred on all those war participants who survived until 1985.
