Medals of the Great Patriotic War

This article examines the USSR’s awards system during the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). The Great Patriotic War was a crucial stage in the development of the Soviet awards system. Basic information on 25 wartime medals is provided. The establishment of medals became a tool for mobilizing society as a whole and consolidating military personnel and civilians. Examples of recipients are provided, including faculty and staff members who worked at Yakutsk State University. Wartime medals were a widespread means of recognizing merit on the battlefield or in the rear, embodying the heroism of individual Soviet citizens and the entire nation. The awards system in the form of medals during the war maintained the motivation of Soviet citizens in the fight against a ruthless enemy. During the Great Patriotic War, 21 new medals were added to the state awards system. Each had a unique artistic design and reflected a specific feat or achievement. Medals were awarded «For Defense,» «For Capture,» and «For Liberation»–each commemorating specific events of the war. The awards of the Great Patriotic War created a documentary record of a frontline soldier’s combat career. A soldier’s medal collection allows one to reliably trace his or her combat history: participation in key battles, defensive and offensive operations, and assess their personal contribution to achieving Victory. Studying medals contributes to the formation of historical memory of the war. Medals preserved in museums and family homes remain a direct reminder of the heroism of previous generations.

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