HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION

Gold Star Medal

Designed by: Artist I.I.Dubasov The Hero of the Soviet Union was the first of the two highest awards in the Soviet period (the other one was Hero of Socialist Labor). It was established on April 16, 1934 by the Central Executive Committee of USSR. According to the statute, it was awarded for "personal or collective merits before the state, connected with performing an act of heroism." Starting July 29, 1936, the Heroes also received an Order of Lenin. Since the number of Heroes increased, on August 1, 1939, they were also decorated with the Gold Star, to differentiate them from the holders of the Order of Lenin. Around 12,600 people became Hero of the Soviet Union until 1991.

For more details: Hero of the Soviet Union (Русский)