Hero of the Soviet Union - how proudly these words sound. This honorary title could only be received by the elect, who distinguished themselves by certain merits or accomplished a feat. The Central Executive Committee on April 16, 1934, for the first time established the title “Hero of the USSR”. The awarded was awarded the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Let's remember how many heroes there were, who first received the medal and much more.
All About Top Award
The main award of the USSR - the star "Hero of the Soviet Union" - appeared in 1939. At first, it was an additional insignia for those who received the highest degree of distinction. Then it was called in a different way: "Golden Star." It is made of gold, sample 950, and on its reverse side is written “Hero of the USSR”.
A gold medal was given for special merits and for accomplished feats. Heroes were called those who shot down planes (at least 15 pieces), saved people. Air shooters-bombers could get the "Golden Star" for 8 enemy aircraft shot down in the air.
The youngest Hero of the Soviet Union is partisan Valentin Kotik. He was 14 years old at the time, but he was a brave pioneer. In 1943, Kotik was able to kill the officer and raise the alarm. Thanks to him, enemies were discovered and defeated.
To date, the Golden Star medal - “Hero of the Soviet Union” - can even be found on sale at shadow antique dealers. Of course, it is not cheap.
First Hero of the Soviet Union
Anatoly Lyapidevsky - the famous Soviet pilot. He was a major general in aviation. Today, almost no one remembers about him, but in vain. After all, he was the first Hero of the Soviet Union. Anatoly Lyapidevsky received the Golden Star medal - “Hero of the Soviet Union” - had 3 Orders of Lenin and many other awards. He received a star in April 1934 for saving the Chelyuskin polar explorers. He looked for them, having made 29 flights in bad weather (there was a terrible snowstorm ). In March, he still found them, put the plane on a thin ice floe and saved 12 people, including women and two children, and then he participated in the Great Patriotic War, where he received the rest of his awards.
Many believe that the first Hero of the Soviet Union passed away too corny. Such a difficult and thorny path went and survived. And then he was at the funeral of a colleague, where he caught a cold. They could not cure him, and on April 29, 1983 he died.
In honor of A. Lyapidevsky, the USSR postage stamp was issued in 1935. In Russia and Ukraine, many streets are named after his last name. A memorial plaque was installed at the school where the first Hero of the Soviet Union studied , and in 1990, a monument was erected in his honor in the village of Belaya Glina.
Heroes of the Soviet Union: women
There were few of them, only 95 people who were awarded this title. Some women - Heroes of the Soviet Union were even able to get the title twice. Some were awarded posthumously, others live today. Let's remember who had the Golden Star Award of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
The first woman to receive the high title of Hero of the USSR is Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was awarded a posthumous medal. Zoe managed to burn the Germans' connection, so that they could not interact with their units. The next time, Zoe also tried to arrange arson, but she did not succeed. She was caught and brutally tortured. However, Zoe did not even say her name. She turned out to be a real partisan. When she was led to the gallows, all battered, in blood, she walked with her head held high. When she was being prepared for hanging, she managed to shout that the Germans would not win the Soviet Union, and her comrades would avenge their fighting girlfriend. And so it happened. And after her received high rank and other heroic women.
Maria Baida - worked as a sanitary instructor in the second battalion. It was a 514 rifle regiment.
Gnilitskaya Nina - was a scout in the 383 rifle division.
Kovshova Natalia - was a very good sniper in the 528 rifle regiment (Red Army, awarded posthumously).
Tatyana Kostyrina - junior sergeant, an excellent sniper of 691 rifle regiment.
Elena Stempkovskaya - junior sergeant, awarded posthumously. She was a radio operator in the 216 rifle regiment.
Maria Semyonovna Polivanova - a Red Army soldier, was a sniper in the 528 rifle regiment.
Svetlana Savitskaya - she was awarded twice. This is the first female astronaut who went into outer space. Svetlana Savitskaya - major in aviation. In 1993, she retired.
All these women are Heroes of the Soviet Union who are worthy of respect. After all, they have passed a very difficult and glorious path.
Who was the last Hero of the Soviet Union?
Solodkov Leonid Mikhailovich, the commander of a group of divers, turned out to be the last hero to whom the “Golden Star” of the Hero was awarded for the successful completion of the special task. Leonid showed himself courageous, showed heroism and in December 1991 he was awarded the title "Hero of the Soviet Union".
After Solodkov gained a high rank, the next day the Soviet Union did not. Thus, Leonid Mikhailovich was the last Hero. They gave him a reward 22 days after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Unfortunately, the Golden Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union has never been awarded to anyone.
How many Heroes of the Soviet Union were
Over the entire period of the existence of the USSR, about 13,000 people were awarded the honorary title “Hero of the Soviet Union”. Some were deprived of this privilege for defamatory acts (72 cases). Two times 154 people were awarded. Kozhedub, Pokryshkin and Budyonny received awards three times. There are two people who are awarded 4 times for their services to the Motherland - L. I. Brezhnev and G. K. Zhukov.
All these heroes excelled in their merits to the Soviet Union and the public. To one degree or another, they have accomplished feats that are worthy of respect. The star of the Hero of the Soviet Union was received by them in fairness.
Even before the start of the war , 626 citizens received such an honorary title. All other heroes appeared from the beginning of World War II. These were not only Russian or Ukrainian citizens, but also representatives of other nationalities, of which 44 people received the Golden Star.
Famous Heroes of the Soviet Union
Other names may also be given as examples, which may not sound so often.
Pavel Shcherbinko is a lieutenant colonel who was a commander in the anti-tank artillery regiment.
Vladimir Aksyonov is an engineer aboard a spacecraft. He has two Golden Stars.
Stepan Artyomenko - was a commander in a rifle battalion, twice awarded for combat feats.
Leonid Beda - at first he was an assistant commander, and then he began to command the 75th Guards Regiment. He was awarded twice the Hero Gold Medal.
Afanasy Pavantievich Beloborodov - he commanded the 43rd Army and was twice awarded a medal.
Mikhail Bondarenko - was the commander and navigator in the aviation regiment, for which he was twice awarded a high rank.
Anatoly Brandys - at first he was the deputy commander, and then he himself began to lead the squadron of the aviation regiment. He earned two times the Gold Medal.
Vladislav Volkov - was an engineer on board the spacecraft, was awarded twice.
Arseny Vorozheykin - commanded a squadron in the fighter aviation regiment, had two Gold medals ..
Vasily Glazunov - was a commander in the Guards Rifle Corps. He was awarded twice a Gold Medal and a high rank.
Sergey Denisov - commanded a detachment of fighter aircraft brigades.
Vasily Zaitsev - navigator and commander in the guards fighter aviation regiment. He was a major in the Guard and twice received the title of “Hero of the USSR”.
Here are the Heroes of the Soviet Union. And that's not all. We have listed the most famous who are famous for their courage and heroism.
What privileges were given to citizens who received an honorary title?
Today, there are certain privileges for citizens who have this title. Benefits for Heroes of the Soviet Union that were during the USSR:
1. They are exempt from various types of taxes, fees and other deductions to the budget.
2. In medical institutions, Heroes of the USSR have the right to be treated free of charge.
3. Free travel on all types of city and suburban transport (taxi is not included).
4. Their state should provide free medicines for home delivery (if the doctor has made the necessary conclusion).
5. Free treatment and prosthetics (only in state dentistry).
6. Every year they should be given a free ticket to a sanatorium or dispensary.
7. Heroes are entitled to benefits for utility bills and housing.
8. They have the right to receive telephone communications without a queue.
9. Children of heroes have the right to provide relevant documents to the funeral service in order to bury their parent at the expense of the state.
10. If the Hero has died, and his child is studying full-time, then the state is obliged to pay the child a cash reserve.
Conclusion
The Hero of the Soviet Union award was received by those citizens who really deserved it. It is they who teach us to love our homeland. They served her and were ready to risk their lives, if only their compatriots would be fine. How can you forget Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, who until the last breath screamed at the Germans in the face, how she hates them and knows that the Soviet Union will win. They beat her with sticks, rods, tore off her nails, but the Germans did not even recognize her real name. There were thousands of such heroes. They knew who they were fighting for and what they were upholding. The heroes who received the award under the USSR were brave, decisive, and they deserve great respect.
Today there are fewer patriots who are ready to give their lives for their homeland. Thoughts and views of people have become completely different. Perhaps this is because time is calmer, not like during the Great Patriotic War. Yes, many do not understand why fight, if you can live peacefully. But, as they say, to each his own.