Kirchgoens

Given the date of 6 May, I'd say that your medal belonged to a woman of the GPW generation. Since the date matches the Jasorat dates I see, I think I can now surmise that the military veterans of the GPW got Jasorat, and the labor veterans of the same period got Shuhrat (which is basically a labor award). I've picked up a few of these over the past couple months. ...Brian

I've checked the "anniversary" Jasorat in my collection. It was awarded on 6 May 1994, and was serial numbered in the 58,xxxx range. With that date, it would appear to basically be a GPW 49th anniversary given the close proximity to 9 May. This is part of a group from an old Uzbek veteran of labor who also served as a soldier in the GPW. He had a Bravery Medal, but someone in the family apparently it sold it for silver (about $8-$13 in the UZ market depending on the rate). I got all his anniversary medals, his Defense of Moscow, VoG, OLG3(T1), OPW'85, three ribbon bars, wartime photo, and photo from probably around age 60, along with a handwritten gramota from his unit upon discharge at the end of the war noting his service and sacrifice. It's quite nicely done, and even the borders and stars were all hand-drawn. He was a baker in later years I'm told. ...Brian

I've seen a couple instances of awarding of Jasorat. The most common was what appears to have been a mass awarding of the medal to GPW/WWII veterans here in Uzbekistan (similar to the Soviet issuance of the '85 version of the OPW). I'm not sure if this "anniversary" version was serial-numbered. I have one at home, so I'll look when I get a chance (I think I also have the doc). Jasorat is also given for acts of bravery. I personally know one former Uzbek serviceman who received Jasorat for counter-terrorism actions a few years ago. Later I'll see if I can get a copy of his citation if anyone is curious. On another note (and I'm sure you all know), the 50th Anniversary of Victory in the GPW was issued with national docs from each CIS country. Uzbekistan's version has a green cover and facsimile signature of the "beloved" President. ...Brian