Order of the Patriotic War

Order of the Patriotic War was a distinguished Soviet military decoration instituted during the Great Patriotic War. It was the first Soviet order established with distinct classes and the first to be awarded to both soldiers and civilians for specific combat feats. The order remained active long after World War II, with millions awarded, and retains significant commemorative status in several post-Soviet states.

History and establishment

The order was established by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on 20 May 1942, following a proposal by Joseph Stalin. Its creation was a direct response to the need for a prestigious award to recognize the escalating heroic deeds in the desperate early stages of the war against Nazi Germany. The initial design was developed by artists Alexander Kuznetsov and Sergei Dmitriyevich Dmitriyev. The first recipients were artillerymen from the 32nd Rifle Division under Captain Ivan Ilyich Krikliy, who were decorated on 2 June 1942 for destroying several enemy tanks in the Battle of Kharkov. The award’s statute was later revised in 1943 and again in 1947, formalizing its two-class structure and expanding eligibility.

Classes and design

The order comprised two classes, with the **1st Class** being senior. The design is a five-pointed star superimposed on a red-enamelled gold star, with rays between the arms. The central disc features a gold Hammer and Sickle on a white enamel background, surrounded by a red ring inscribed with "ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННАЯ ВОЙНА" (Patriotic War) and a gold star at the bottom. The primary material differences between classes are the use of gold versus silver for the star's rays and central elements. The 1st Class badge is made primarily of gold and silver, while the 2nd Class uses more silver. The ribbon is silk moiré, red with central stripes: dark red for 1st Class, light blue for 2nd Class. Variations exist, including early "screwback" versions and later models suspended from a standard pentagonal mount.

Award criteria and recipients

The original 1942 statute detailed 54 specific combat situations warranting the 1st Class and 52 for the 2nd Class, covering actions from destroying enemy equipment to exemplary command. It could be awarded to individual soldiers, entire units like the 1st Polish Infantry Division, civilians, and foreign allies, including participants in the Normandy landings. Notable recipients include sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, pilot Alexey Maresyev, and the entire crew of the submarine S-13 under Alexander Marinesko. During the war, approximately 1.27 million awards were made. For the 40th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in 1985, a Jubilee edition was issued to all living veterans, leading to over 9 million additional awards.

Post-Soviet status and legacy

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the order is no longer officially awarded by the Russian Federation, which introduced its own system including the Order of Courage. However, it is explicitly permitted for wear on military uniforms by federal law. The award is highly collectible, with early wartime "screwback" versions being particularly valued. Its imagery and name remain potent symbols of the Soviet war effort, frequently displayed during commemorations like the Victory Day Parade in Moscow. Similar decorations, such as the Order of the Great Patriotic War in the unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic, draw direct inspiration from its legacy, cementing its enduring iconography in the region's military history.

Category:Soviet awards and decorations Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II