Soviet Order of the Red Star

[Obergefreiter]

What were the prerequisits for being awarded an Order of the Red Star? Was this something that was handed out just for making it to morning formation on time, or was it necessary to actually acomplishe something worthwhile?

[Guest Rick Research]

It all depended on when. Read the Soviet Researched Awards section and you will see many specific examples of citations, both for "something" and for 15 years routine service between November 1944 to December 1956. There were also later "jubilee" awards in 1968 etc for Unassisted Breathing.

In virtually any case except consulting the chart of numbers and dates permanently posted here, only research on a specific serial number will reveal why it was granted.

[Obergefreiter]

It all depended on when. Read the Soviet Researched Awards section and you will see many specific examples of citations, both for "something" and for 15 years routine service between November 1944 to December 1956. There were also later "jubilee" awards in 1968 etc for Unassisted Breathing.

In virtually any case except consulting the chart of numbers and dates permanently posted here, only research on a specific serial number will reveal why it was granted.

Thanks, Rick. My Star is one of the first pieces in my collection, yet I know next to nothing about them.

[Guest Rick Research]

What's the serial number?

[Obergefreiter]

What's the serial number?

I'll have to get back with you tomorrow. I'm at work, & the star is at home.

[Ed_Haynes]

While they weren't given out in order and the ability to link a number to any time period is not the exact science that some may claim or believe it to be, the chances of guessing whether it was a long service award or not are increased by knowing the number. Of course, long service may have reflected an interesting career. HSU-winners got long service awards too. Ultimately, the only way to know is to get it researched.

[Obergefreiter]

What's the serial number?

Rick, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Work's been hectic here for the past few days. The serial number on the Red Star is 2204712. Thanks for your help

[Guest Rick Research]

Check the dated serial numbers pinned thread and you will see that yours is a "for something" award most likley from the last month of the war in Europe--Berlin-Vienna-or ??? Might be earlier if from an odd batch in the same range from the end of 1944.

Now: you will never know to whom and for what unless you get it researched (Awards Record Card AND citation since must have BOTH to establish citation goes with serial number).

[Obergefreiter]

Thanks for your time, Rick. It's nice to know a bit about ones stuff.

[pzkpwvi]

By award of a red Star are awarded:

-military men of the Soviet Army, Navy fleet, boundary and internal troops, employees of bodies of Committee of state security of the USSR, and also the person of ordinary and commanding structure of law-enforcement bodies;

-military units, the military ships, connections and associations, the enterprises, establishments, the organisations. An award of the Red Star can be awarded and military men of the foreign states.

Rewarding by an award of the Red Star is made:

-For personal courage and courage in fights, the excellent organisation and a skilful management of the operations promoting success of our armies;

-For successful operations of military units and connections in which result the considerable loss has been caused to the opponent;

-For merits in maintenance of state security and inviolability of frontier USSR;

- For courage and the courage shown at execution of a military or office debt, in the conditions interfaced to risk for a life;

-For exemplary performance of special tasks of command and other feats made in the conditions of a peace time;

-For the big merits in maintenance of high alertness of armies, excellent indicators in fighting and political preparation, mastering by new combat material and other merits in strengthening of defensive power of the USSR;

-For merits in development of a military science and technics, a professional training for Armed forces of the USSR;

-For merits in strengthening of defensibility of the states of socialist commonwealth.