The reward system of tsarist Russia was one of the most organized and well-calculated mechanisms in the state system. This is clearly evidenced by the "Rules for the wearing of orders and medals", the last edition of which was approved in 1889. For a long time, the state awards of the empire were oriented only to the privileged classes of society — the aristocracy, the clergy, the bureaucracy, and partially the merchants.
But at the border of the 18th – 19th centuries, awards for the lower ranks — soldiers and non-commissioned officers — were introduced into the award system. The “For Courage” medal was established as a distinction for those who do not have a high rank for their courage and bravery on the battlefield.
Bravery on the waters
In June 1788, near the Ochakovo in the Dnieper-Bug estuary, a Turkish squadron with a significant advantage of ships and firearms attacked the Russian rowing flotilla. However, despite the complete superiority of the enemy, the Russians managed to repel the attack and inflict a crushing defeat, sinking two battleships. For a brilliant victory, the lower ranks of the rowing flotilla participating in the battles near Ochakov were awarded about 5,000 silver medals “For Courage”. By decree of July 12, 1788.
During the Russo-Swedish war of 1789, the Russian rowing fleet, led by Vice Admiral Karl Nassau-Siegen, in the battles at Rochensalm (Finland) crushed the galley armada of the Swedes under the command of Admiral Ehrensfeld. Sailors of the personnel of the ships and paratroopers were awarded silver medals "For Courage", which had a design similar to Ochakov. A little later, Admiral Nassau-Siegen and the servicemen of the Semenovsky regiment captured the Swedish battery on the coast, which prevented the landing. To commemorate the Semenovites, a small silver medal with a three-line inscription on the reverse: “For courage” was specially made in small quantities.
Introduction to the award system
The “For Courage” medal was established three times in the award system of the Russian state. The first time it was officially introduced in 1807 under the reign of Emperor Alexander I. The medal was mainly awarded to servicemen of irregular units and formations: security, militia, police, watchmen, Cossack and others. The insignia was worn on a black and orange St. George ribbon and was 50 millimeters in diameter. On the front side of it was an image of Emperor Alexander I, and on the back was minted a two-line inscription “For courage”.
By the middle of the 19th century, residents of national suburbs, in particular, mountain peoples, began to receive the state award “For Courage”, and civilians who showed courage in a combat situation, including women, could also be gifted with it. According to Russian archival sources, from 1853 to 1856, 68 people received breast silver medals, among which were bourgeois, peasants and 24 Greek volunteers.
Medal of four degrees
In 1878, the Russian Emperor Alexander II introduced a special award for distinguished ranks of border and customs services. Medal "For Courage" of four degrees. The degree of the medal was indicated on the reverse side, and its license plate was also affixed there. The highest degrees of this award, the first and second, were minted from gold, the third and fourth (lowest) - from silver. The insignia itself was small (28 millimeters) and was worn on the St. George ribbon to the right of all others. Moreover, the first and third degrees were highlighted with a bow. But also in the award system there were still medals without a registration number, they were both chest and neck; they were awarded to persons not related to the regular troops of the Russian Empire.
Since 1896, the design of the medal has slightly changed: the image of the emperor was now represented by a profile, and on the reverse side, branches of laurel, oak and palm were minted around the circumference, entwined with a ribbon from below. At the beginning of the XX century, this medal began to mark the lower ranks, who were on guard duty (police, security), for their courage with armed violators of order.
Admission to the Order
On August 10, 1913, in accordance with the latest version of the Statute of the Military Order of St. George, Emperor Nicholas II established and ranked the medal "For Courage" of four degrees, it acquired the name "St. George". A new numbering was also begun. The basis for changing the Statute of the medal was the modification of battle methods on land and sea as a result of the development of military and naval equipment. An approved insignia was introduced to reward non-commissioned officers, ordinary soldiers and sailors for military feats in wartime and peacetime that did not correspond to rewarding with the George Cross.
The military unit provided for both individual and collective awards. The commander in chief of the armed forces had the authority to award the most distinguished military units. From 2 to 5 medals per company, hundred or battery. In the Navy, the number of insignia per team was determined based on the type of ship. Thus, the approved award was presented to a fairly wide circle of people: the total award was more than 1.6 million times. In the archival documents of the Russian Federation you can find lists of medals "For Courage" in the period from 1913 to 1917.
Not only military
In accordance with the provisions of the state award, the “For courage” distinction, in comparison with the St. George Cross, could be issued not only to military personnel, but also to civilians who distinguished themselves in battle with an adversary and committed an act stipulated by the charter of the St. George Cross. In addition, medical workers who were under the active attack of the enemy throughout the battle and who showed unprecedented dedication in helping wounded soldiers or who carried the wounded from the battlefield, operating in very difficult conditions, could also be presented for awarding.
Very extraordinary feats were also awarded. So, in the fall of 1914, a nurse Henrietta Sorokina, being in captivity, hid and saved the banner of the 6th Libava Prussian Infantry Regiment, as a result of which she was awarded the St. George medal “For Bravery” of the fourth degree of Nicholas II.
All awarded medals, regardless of the degree, provided for annual material payments. When a high degree award was presented, the receipt of a lower degree benefit immediately stopped. In the event of an unintentional loss of a reward by a lower rank, a new medal was determined for him at the request of a higher authority. Upon the death of a soldier, the family could receive payment for one more year.
Interesting Facts
- The noted St. George Medal was used to pay the annual amount of the prescribed amount: 1st degree - 36 rubles, 2nd degree - 24 rubles, 3rd degree - 18 rubles and 4th degree - 12 rubles.
- After the October Revolution, the awarding of state emblems of tsarist Russia continued for some time. After the transition to the new award system, the bulk of the untapped medals were sent for remelting.
- From January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1917, the Petrograd Mint struck the St. George medals "For Courage" with Nicholas II in the following quantities: 4th degree - 1335150, 3rd degree - 271050, 2nd degree - 52515 and 1- 1st degree - 26510 pieces.
- The awards of the Russian state had different ratings and rankings. So, the medal “For Courage” was below the insignia of the Military Order, but higher? than other awards from this category.
Description of the St. George medal
The issued “For Courage” medals of 4 degrees of Nicholas 2 among themselves differed by indicating the degree on the reverse and the metal of manufacture, gold or silver. In all other respects, they were identical to each other, the lowest degrees were made of 990 silver, the highest ones were made of 950 gold. The medal itself had a small rounded shape. On its outer side was placed the profile of the emperor, and on the circumference the inscription was displayed: on the left, “B. M. Nicholas II imp. ", On the right -" and tyrant. All-Russian. ". On the reverse side in large letters engraved: "For courage."
On May 26, 1915, the Russian monarch ratified the Regulation of the Council of Ministers on lowering the quality of gold in St. George medals. The insignia of the first and second degrees were minted from 583 samples, they were affixed with a special stamp of identification - a female head in a kokoshnik. In 1916, in connection with the mass of awards, Nicholas II was forced to order the transition to an alloy of base metals of white and yellow.
In the revolutionary period of 1917, the profile of the emperor was removed at the St. George medals "For Courage" and the image of St. George the Victorious, a spear of a piercing dragon, was applied.