Order of the Patriotic War. Award History

The Order of the Patriotic War was introduced in 1942. This was the first Soviet award, which had two degrees and appeared during the Second World War. The projects of the order were developed by S.I. Dmitriev and AI Kuznetsov. There were thirty different options. As a result, two sketches of each specialist were left. They produced several copies of the award, but the basis was adopted version of Kuznetsov, with the replacement of crossed swords with a saber and a rifle. From the sketches of Dmitriev, the inscription "Patriotic War" was taken.

The statute specified that the Order of the Patriotic War was introduced to reward the distinguished and commanding officers of the army, units of the NKVD, fleet and partisans. This award was given to people who actively contributed to the successful execution of operations and combat missions, as well as to soldiers who showed steadfastness and courage. She had two degrees, the highest of which was the first. In the statute, concrete exploits for which a person could be awarded for the first time began to be indicated. Prior to this, medals and orders of the Great Patriotic War were awarded on the basis of general language, and their statutes did not contain such an accurate list.

The order symbol looks like a convex star, covered with red-ruby enamel, against the background of silver (2nd degree) or gold (1 degree) rays that diverge in the form of a five-pointed star. Its ends are placed between the rays of a red star. In the center on a plate covered with red enamel, there are a gold sickle and a hammer. It is edged with a white girdle with gold rims, on which there is an asterisk and the inscription "Patriotic War". Behind, against the background of the gold (silver) star are the ends of the checkers and rifles that are crossed.

As a supplement to the award, there is a moire band made of Bordeaux silk with red longitudinal strips: for the 2nd degree - two strips along the edges, and for the 1st degree - one in the middle. More than 30 years, the Order of the Patriotic War was the only one that was preserved in the families of the deceased as a memory of their exploits. Then this right spread to other awards.

Artillerymen were among the first cavaliers of the order. In June 1942, the Order of the 1st degree was awarded art. Sergeant A. Smirnov, Captain I. Kriklij, and also ml. Political instructor I. Statsenko. In May of the same year, their division in the Kharkov region destroyed 32 tanks of fascists. The Order of the Great Patriotic War was awarded for exceptional feats, which were very many at that time. However, most of the awards were held in the period 1943-1945, which is natural.

One of the first knights of the Order of the 2nd degree was also artillerymen who distinguished themselves in the Kharkov direction, where the heavy fights took place: privates A. Kulinets, N. Grigoriev, I. Petrosh and sergeants P. Nesterenko, T. Zharko, M. Nemfira. For the whole time of the Great Patriotic War the Order of the Patriotic War became a distinctive sign for about 1 million 276 thousand soldiers. About 325 thousand awards were 1 degree.

As a memorable decoration for veterans, the Order was revived in 1985. Taking into account the jubilee awards for 1992, about 2 million 490 thousand awards of 1 degree and about 6 million 690 thousand - 2 degrees were awarded.