The establishment of the Order of the Patriotic War was held by a strong-willed decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Soviet State in May 1942. And although it was one of the most difficult periods of wartime, however, in December 1941 it was laid
beginning of the first victories over the Germans. And even in the history of the retreat of the Red Army from the first days of hostilities, there were many heroic pages. What is the
defense of the Brest Fortress or the
battle for Moscow worth
! In the era of battles and after the end of hostilities, this order became one of the most popular regalia of the country. The most prestigious insignia were the
Order of the Red Star, World War II. And also the medals “For Military Merit” and “For Victory over Germany”, established in the fall of 1938. In fact, during the war years alone, 1,276,000 people were awarded orders.
Statutes of the Order of the Patriotic War
A month later, the description of the appearance of the regalia was slightly changed. And the statute took its final form after the victory in the war on December 16, 1946. According to its provisions, the order was awarded to all persons from the rank and file of the Red Army, the NKVD, SMERSH, the navy, and also partisan detachments, which showed courage, courage, and steadfastness in the fight against the enemy for the Soviet country. In addition, military personnel were awarded with regalia, thanks to the actions of which the successes of the military operations of the Soviet troops were ensured.
Awarding, according to the statute, is made through the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the country. The Order of the Patriotic War, the military insignia had two degrees: the first and second. The highest degree was the first. The question, the order of what degree to award a distinguished soldier, was also determined by the Presidium. It depended on the degree of merit.
Appearance of the Order of the Patriotic War
The product itself is a cast medal depicting a convex five-pointed star, which is covered with red-ruby enamel with a background of golden rays that diverge in the form of a five-pointed star, in which the ends are located between the ends of the red star. In the middle of the reddest star there is a golden image of a hammer and sickle on a red-ruby plate, which is bordered with a white enamel belt containing the inscription: "World War II". At the bottom of the girdle is a golden star. The white belt and the red star have golden rims. The background of the rays of a red star is an image of the ends of a checker and a rifle crossed among themselves. Ephesus checkers and rifle butt down. Orders of the Patriotic War had several manufacturing options. So, the insignia of the second degree was made of silver. Although there were gilded some parts not covered with enamel. The order of the first degree contained more gold. The diameter of the order is 45 mm. The length of the checkers and rifle images is also 45 mm each. The diameter of the circle with the inscription is slightly smaller - 22 mm. Each order on its reverse side has a threaded font and a nut made for attaching it to clothes.