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 III, was a reissue medal for relatives of those who had been purged during the Russian Civil War. The serial numbers were hand-engraved, and replaced the serial numbers of the original order.

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