History

This is the oldest Order of the Soviet Union. Existing first as an Order of the Russian Federation (established on September 16, 1918), it was converted into an Order of the USSR on August 1, 1924. The statute was not established until January 11, 1932. It was discontinued in 1991.

It was conferred for self-sacrifice, courage, and bravery in defending Russia. It was awarded to Army, Navy, Border Guard, and Internal Security personnel, as well as KGB employees and military ships. It may also be bestowed upon foreigners. The first award was conferred upon Civil War hero V.K Blukher on September 30, 1918. By 1933, the order had been awarded 16,762 times.

Type I was awarded from September 30, 1918 until an unknown date in 1929 or 1930. The serial numbers for this type range from 0-16000 and is always hand engraved in an italic style in the top left reverse. If the recipient received the award a second, third or fourth time the obverse of the medal would feature a matching enamelled number. Approximately 17,000 RSFSR Red Banners were manufactured, and 14,900 of which were awarded during the Civil War (28 were awarded to women).

The obverse Russian inscription translates to: "Proletarians of the World, Unite!"