Soviet What are these?

[bigjarofwasps]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me what these are? Are they offical awards (like medals) that the Russian wore on their uniforms, or are they just keep sakes?

[TacHel]

You have a mixture of both.

Some are official military decorations while others are simply commemorative.

[bigjarofwasps]

Many thanks, so the official ones would be worn on the uniform?

[TacHel]

Yes, official ones were worn on the uniform on the lower right breast.

The 2 below are in your frame, here's more info on them:

Instituted on 22 May 1961 by order 149 of the commander of the Soviet Navy.

Awarded to the most distinguished, highly disciplined military and civilian personnel of the Navy who participated in long-range cruises on vessels of the Navy, provided that the missions were successful. For all vessels, distance requirements for award, transition from one ocean to another; for vessels of under 1000 tons, a 30 day cruise with a distance of at least 500 miles from departure point; for vessels of over 1000 tons, a 45 day cruise depending on home port, Northern Fleet - the limits of the Norwegian Sea, Pacific fleet – 3000 miles from point of origin, Black Sea Fleet and the Novorossiysk Naval district - outside of the Aegean Sea, Baltic fleet - beyond the North Sea. Specifically for submarines, a cruise with no docking amounting to more than half of the full autonomy of the vessel.

The ones that are the same but with a "pendant" are also good, the pendant bears the name of the ship the recipient was on when he earned the decoration.

Most of the others are commemorative but that wouldn't stop them from being worn on the uniform. Ship's captains and fleet commanders often issued such commemorative pieces and most sailors wore them exactly like decorations.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2010/post-3030-127048744172.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2010/post-3030-127048744932.jpg

Edited April 5, 2010 by TacHel

[bigjarofwasps]

Smashing many thanks!!!! :cheers: