From the Soviet Sputnik Magazine in 1985, a brief look at some of the decorations awarded during and after the Great Patriotic War as the Soviets called World War II.
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During the war against fascism Soviet soldiers displayed unparalleled staunchness and mass heroism. In addition to the decorations instituted in prewar times (orders of Lenin, the Red Banner and the Red Star), new combat awards were instituted by order of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet in different years of the war.
The Order of Glory, conferred on soldiers and sergeants for bravery and fearlessness displayed on the field of battle, was mass in character. It had three degrees.
The Order of the Patriotic War was equally widespread. It was conferred on anyone – from soldier to general –,who had distinguished himself in battle. It had two degrees.
For the successful conduct of military operations, senior personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy received orders named after outstanding Russian military commanders.
These were Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov (1729–1800), an outstanding military leader who was never defeated; Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov (1745– 1813), known in world history as the victor over Napoleon, who invaded Russia in 1812; Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Novgorod, who smashed the Swedes on the Neva River in 1240 and the Teutonic Knights two years later on the ice of Lake Chudskoye; Admiral Fyodor Ushakov (1744-1817), famous for a number of important victories over the Turks, Admiral Pavel Nakhimov (1802–1855), hero and leader of the Sevastopol defence in 1854-1855; Ukrainian Hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky (1595-1 657), military commander and statesman who played an important role in the reunification of Russia and the Ukraine.
The highest military decoration was the Order of Victory. It was conferred on 17 people. J. V. Stalin and Marshals G. K. Zhukov and A. M. Malinovsky each received it twice. Its holders included Yugoslav Marshal Josip Broz Tito, Allied Commander in ChIef General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the British Field Marshal Montgomery. Military orders and medals were conferred on some 13 million people during the war years.
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