On August 1, 1939, the "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal was established, but no one was awarded it. On October 16, 1939 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Medal "Hero of the Soviet Union" received a new name - " Golden Star" The same decree was approved by the drawing and description of the medals, made on the project of the artist I. I. Dubasov. The medal has been made of gold in the form of a five-pointed star. The rays of the stars are two-man. On the reverse side - The inscription "Hero of the USSR" and the medal number. Introduced late Order Ribbon - red, 20 mm width.

Everyone who until October 16, 1939 was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, were awarded a new medal. According to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Council of the USSR, persons awarded two medals "Golden Star", a bronze bust was to be built in their homeland. Three times the heroes of the Soviet Union, except for the three "gold stars" and the bust in their homeland, were honored with a bronze bust in the form of a column installed in Moscow. However, this point was not fulfilled, and not a single column in Moscow and did not appear, although the studies of the Heroes of the Soviet Union were made in the annals of the history of the Fatherland, and even four times the heroes of the Soviet Union. It is impossible to say confidently, who from Soviet soldiers on June 22, 1941 first made a feat, for which he was later awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. This could be Major P. M. Gavrilov, who headed the defense of the Brest Fortress, and the border guards of many of the wasting borders of our country.

The border guards of the 5th outpost on the river Prut alone came into battle with the fascists in the morning of June 22 and in two days, 11 enemy attacks were abandoned. By the end of the third day, the remaining border guards were forced to retreat. However, at night, a small group of our fighters snuck into the rear, destroyed enemy security and blew up the railway bridge. Throw ones - Lieutenant A. K. Konstantinov, the younger Sergeant V. F. Mikhalkov and Sergeant I. D. Buzitskov - was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. The first heroes could also be border guards - lieutenants A. V. Lopatin and A. V. Ryzhikov. On June 24, 1941, the Pravda newspaper wrote about the fights at the border: "The immortal glory covered themselves ... Fighters-Chekisti ... They were fought in a handful, and only through the dead of their bodies could the enemy to move forward."

The deputy political officer of the 7th borderproof of the 90th frontier of the V. V. Petrov after a five-hour battle remains to cover the waste of his comrades. He was seriously injured, but continued to shoot. And when the cartridges ended, the last garnet blew himself and surrounding his fascists. The first in the Great Patriotic War of the title Hero of the Soviet Union was officially awarded (by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 8, 1941) three pilots. Fighter pilot Junior Lieutenant S. I. Heptie struggled with the enemy until the cartridges ended, and then rammed the German bomber, rushing to Leningrad. Two days later, his feat repeated the pilots of M. P. Zhukov and P. T. Kharitonov. The first hero of the Soviet Union in the Ground Forces was the commander of the 1st motorized rifle division of the 20th Army Colonel Ya. G. Crazer. On June 30, 1941, his division ranked defense on the eastern bank of Berezina and for three days destroyed 3 thousand soldiers and opponent officers and about 70tants. The first hero of the seafarer with Tal Assistant Commander of the platoon, Senior Sergeant V. P. Kislyakov, distinguished in July 1941 when landing the landing in the Western Persian area. July 22, 1941 for the first time since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War There was awarded the second medal "Golden Star". Her cavalier posthumously became the pilot Lieutenant Colonel S. P. Suprun. He commanded the 401th fighter aviation regime of a special purpose and died on July 4 in unequal battle with six enemy fighters.

Svetlana Savitskaya from the young age knitted his fate with aviation. Another student of the Moscow Aviation Institute, she became an absolute world champion in the highest pilot on piston aircraft, later installed three world records in group jumps with a parachute from the stratosphere and nine world records on jet aircraft.

On August 19, she, as a cosmonaut, a researcher, together with the crew commander, twice the hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel L. I. Popov and the flight engineer A. A. Silver, made a flight into space on the Soyuz T-7 ship, which docked the orbital complex. S. Savitskaya spent many scientific experiments. For the courage and heroism, Svetlana Savitskaya, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the title of "Socialist Cosmonaut of the USSR" was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. She performed the second space flight in July 1984 on the ship "Union T-12". Together with Vladimir Janibekov, the crew commander, Svetlana Savitskaya July 25 worked in outer space for 3 hours 35 minutes, having experienced a new universal tool for performing complex technological operations in open space. She cut and welded metal, soldered metal plates and produced coatings. The results of the experiments carried out by it were widely used not only in cosmic flights, but also on Earth - in the national economy. She became the first woman - twice the hero of the Soviet Union.

The brilliant Plaria of Cosmos's conquerors was headed by the world's first cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin on April 12, 1961, he flew around the Earth on the East spacecraft in 1 hour and 48 minutes. "For a heroic feat - the first flight in space," said the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 15, 1961, - having glorified our socialist homeland, for manifested courage, courage, fearless and selfless service to the Soviet people, the case of communism, the cause of the progress of all mankind , Assign the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the medal "Golden Star" The world's first pilot-cosmonaut Major Gagarina Yuri Alekseevich and establish a bronze bust of the hero in the city of Moscow "

In August 1961, the second flight flight of 25 hours was made by the pilot-cosmonaut Major G. S. Titov, having flown over the Earth more than 17 times. He also became the hero of the Soviet Union. In August 1962, astronauts A. G. Nikolaev and P. R. Popovich performed the first group space flight, which lasted more than 70 hours. In July 1963, V. F. Bykovsky and V. V. Tereshkova carried out the second group flight into space. In October 1964, at the first multi-seat spacecraft "Sunrise" crew in the commander of the commander of the Colonel-engineer, V. M. Komarov, a researcher, K. P Feoktistov and a doctor B. B. Egorova, held a flight without a scaffolding. In March 1965, a person came to outer space from the ship and spent 12 minutes there was our compatriot A. A. Leonov.

In October 1968, the Sosmonaut pilot G. T. Coast produced the maximum possible rapprochement of the Soyuz-3 ship, which he managed, with the unmanned Soyuz-2 ship, bred in orbit earlier the first docking of ships in space was produced by a space-astronaut V. A. Shatalov, who piloted the ship "Soyuz-4", and the crew of the Soyuz-5 ship as part of the cosmonauts B. V. Volynov, A. S. Eliseeva and E.V. Chrunova. On January 16, 1969, Eliseev and Chrunov moved from the Soyuz-5 ship to the Soyuz-4 ship, while in open space 37 minutes. After docking two ships, their joint flight lasted more than four and a half hours in such a way, it was necessary to start replacing the crews of space ships, orbital stations and conducting rescue work in space. In October 1969, three Soyuz Soyums with family cosmonauts on board were replaced at nearby orbits. The flight was led by V. A. Shatalov, the cosmonauts of G. S. Shonin participated in the experiment, A. V. Filipichenko, V. N. Kubasov, V. N. Volkov, A. S. Eliseev and V. V. Gorbatko. Cosmonauts V. A. Shatalov, A. S. Eliseev and N. N. Mukhvishnikov on the ship "Soyuz-10" in April 1971 worked out the methods of rapprochement and mooring to the orbital station, carried out docking and dusting of the ship with her. In June 1971, the crew was delivered to the orbital station in the composition of T. Dobrovolsky, V. N. Volkov and V. I. Patsayev. Their cosmic watch at the Salute-2 station lasted more than 23 days. Cosmonauts perfectly completed the task, but when returning to Earth, due to sudden depressurization of the ship died.

Space Watch Duration on orbital stations It constantly increased, and the volume and complexity of work increased. In 1975, the astronauts A. A. Gubarev and G. M. Grechko worked on board the station "Salyut-4" 30 days, and in next year P. I. Klimuk and V. I. Sevastyanov held at the station for more than two months, fulfilling a large program of comprehensive research and receiving many data representing great interest for geography, geology, meteorology, oceanology and other sciences. 96 days spent in space Yu. V. Romanenko and G. M. Grechko, 140 days - B. V. Kovalenok and A. S. Ivanchenkov, 175 days - V. A. Lyakhov and V. V. Ryumin. In 1984, at the station "Salyut-7" the longest time, bearing in mind the initial period of space development, cosmonauts L. D. Kizim, O. Yu. Atkov and V. A. Solovyov worked. Their Space Watch lasted 237 days. Space development is the grandiose, the epoching cause of all mankind. It takes part in millions of people - workers, engineers, doctors, pilots, scientists, but at the edge of the space spire are pilots of stellar ships. Most cosmonauts came out of their winged family. Many of them before reaching the cosmonaut detachment were excellent pilots - pilots, assaults, tests.

Symbolized in this respect, the fate of the cosmonaut pilot USSR T. Besome. He raised his first aircraft aged 16 into the sky. At the age of 20, he received the first order, and at 23, the first "golden star" of the hero. In the fights of the Great Patriotic War, he burned three times on the plane, but he left these alterations alive and rose to heaven again. At 44, T. Beregovoy - Honored Test pilot of the USSR, Colonel and Hero of the Soviet Union - achieved enrollment in the cosmonaut detachment, which took up to 30 years. And after 4 years, he was once again awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and heroism, shown during the space flight on October 26-30, 1968 on the Soyuz-3 ship. Not only test pilots, submariner seamans and astronauts replenished the family of the Heroes of the Soviet Union. On June 21, 1965, the Colonel of the Border Forces N. F. Kaatsupa entered it. The name of this brave person became widely known in the 1930s, when there were dozens of articles on the skill and brave conductor, dedicated to him and books. From 1933 to 1937, N. F. Kaatsupa participated in 120 batches and delayed 467 border violators. For a long service on the border Nikita Fedorovich was awarded four orders and several medals. The Hero of the Soviet Union was the senior lieutenant of Militia A. I. Prathoodukhin. In November 1973, four bandits captured an aircraft with passengers and crew. They wounded the borcemaker and one of the passengers and demanded that no one approaches the plane. To liberate hostages sent a group of capture, which was commanded by A. I. Prathoodukhin. He managed to be the first to break into the cabin of the aircraft, caused the fire of criminals and thus laid the way to his comrades. Bandits were disarmed and captured. It was one of the first cases of air terrorism, which was skillfully and rescued a small group of capture, which was subsequently managed to achieve far from always even with the introduction of more significant forces. A special place in the history of our country is occupied afghan War 1979-1989. No matter how we relate to this war, no matter how they qualify, we must not forget that the Soviet soldiers and officers abandoned in her fire sincerely believed (especially in the early years of the war) that they fulfill a noble international mission to help the fraternal people , and showed high battle qualities in this situation. Several participants of the events were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Among them, the commander of the helicopter Major V. V. Shcherbakov, who, with a huge risk, put a car in the mountains and saved a group of fellow fellow comrades. The helicopterter E. I. Zelnyakov became famous for the fact that tens of times broke through the opponent's barrier fire, Metko struck the goals and skillfully Salved the car in hard-to-reach mountainous areas. The heroes officer Vyacheslav Gainutdinov and the deputy commander of the motorized rifle battalion Major Gennady Kuchkin, the commander of the parachute of the landing part, Lieutenant Colonel Yu. V. Kuznetsov, Rota commander Senior Lieutenant N. M. Akramov, Colonel-General Yu. P. Maximov, Colonel V. E. Pavlov, Lieutenant Colonel E. V. Vysotsky and others. For post-war years, more than 250 people were awarded this high rank. In the days of the war, not all exploits received immediate assessment, they could not always be accurately weighed and compared with other accomplishments. This applies not only to individuals, but also large and important events, in the orbit of which tens of thousands of people were drawn. It is characteristic in this regard, an example of a number of cities that have made the glory of the bastions of courage and durability. In honor of the heroic defense of Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sevastopol and Odessa, medals were established during the war. The sixth medal is "for the defense of Kiev" - was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 21, 1961.

The term "city-heroes" appeared at the end of the war. In 1945, Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sevastopol and Odessa were named in the May Day of the Supreme Commander. And on May 8, 1965, the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR approved the Regulation on the honorary title "Hero City". And six cities, in honor of which the medals "for defense" were minted, became cities of heroes, and the Order of Lenin and the "Golden Star" medals appeared on their banners. They were awarded this title in connection with the 20th anniversary of the victory over fascist Germany. By decree of May 8, 1965, the title "Fortress-Hero" was assigned to the Brest Fortress. Subsequently, the heroes were recognized by Kerch and Novorossiysk (1973), Minsk (1974), Tula (1976), Smolensk and Murmansk (1985). Golden stars attached to the signs of Heroes cities crowned the feat of thousands of Soviet patriots - soldiers, workers, militias, with weapons in their hands who defended their native streets and alleys, squares and avenues. The memory of heroes is immortalized in bronze and marble, in the names of cities, streets and squares. Among the memorials and monuments established only in honor of the Heroes of the Battle of Moscow, the monuments of Marshal G. K. Zhukov and the legendary comedav I. V. Panfilov, whose fighters did not miss the fascists to Moscow. And in 1975, the Dubosekovo road near Moscow was opened memorial in honor of 28 Panfilov Heroes.

Petrishchevo village has a monument to Zoe Kosmodemyanskaya, at the village of Palashkino - General L. M. Dovator, in Moscow, many streets are named after the Heroes of the Soviet Union. Twice the heroes of the Soviet Union are built in their homeland bronze busts. Monuments Heroes are erected in hundreds of cities and villages of Russia. Their names are named streets and squares, ships and schools. Only in the same Kaliningrad region, the names of the heroes of the Soviet Union are the cities of Chernyakhovsk, Nesterov, Gusev, Ladushkin, Mamonov, Guryevsk, Kosmodemyansk, Romanov. Memorial museums are devoted to the Heroes of the Soviet Union: the House-Museum of Yu. A. Gagarin in the city, wearing his name, the "Young Guard" House Museum in Krasnodone, Marshal House Museum G. K. Zhukova in his homeland in the village of Zhukovo Kaluga region and a lot others. "Golden Star" Hero of the Soviet Union is one of the most respected awards. Considering this, after the Soviet Union ceased to exist, on March 20, 1992, the title of "Hero of Russia" was established in Russia and the "Golden Star" medal was preserved.

Medal Golden Star It was established by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on August 1, 1939 as a sign of the difference between the Hero of the Soviet Union called the Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 16, 1939, it was renamed her "Golden Star", and also approved the drawing and description.

Regulations on the medal "Golden Star"

The medal is made in the form of a five-pointed asterisk with polished dwarfranic fifteen millimeter rays on the front side. The reverse was a smooth surface bounded by a thin rim. In her center, convex letters were written: "Hero of the USSR". The room was in the upper ray. Springgrada21,5 grams, with the help of the ears and link medal was attached to a rectangular gilded block, covered with a red moored ribbon, the width of which was 22 millimeters. The position provided for the possibility of rewarding. Such a hero was awarded the Order of Lenin and the second medal, and to commemorate the exploits awarded a bronze bust with an appropriate inscription in his homeland.

According to the first statute (August 1939), the award was called "the Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union" and was announced by the highest award of the USSR, awarded for a special valor, manifested with the protection of the Motherland as well as for special merits to the party and the government. Initially, the inscriptions of the SS Hero "inscriptions (in the meaning of the Hero of the Soviet Union) were provided (in the meaning of the Hero of the Soviet Union), however, due to the emerging undesirable associations (with German SS detachments), already in November of the same year, the inscription was removed, instead of her inscription appeared on the reverse. Hero of the USSR. " The statute of November 1939 was changed by the very name of the award, from now on and until the end of its existence it was called "the" Golden Star "medal." In addition, the rules of repeated and third awards were added to the Statute. It was established that the second and third star on the reverse should have sequence numbers II and III, respectively (Roman numbers). Cavalers were also noted by installing bronze busts: with the second award - in their homeland and at the third - in the courtyard of the Palace of Soviets. It should be said about the last rule: at the time of the statute approval, the Palace of Soviets only began to be built, it was assumed that it would be a huge 420-meter skyscraper, topped with a 100-meter statue of Lenin. The location is the coast of Moscow-River, especially for this construction, the famous Church of Christ the Savior was demolished. However, with the beginning of the war, the construction was frozen and never renewed, therefore busts three times the heroes of the Soviet Union were set in the Kremlin, although the corresponding change in the statute of the award was made only in 1967.

Awarded a medal could not only have made a heroic feat and awarded title Hero of the Soviet Union individuals, but also the cities who were awarded the title "Hero City", and fortresses awarded the title "Fortress Hero".

With awarding the Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR also was presented to him. The medal is worn on the left side of the chest over all other awards of the USSR. Twice the hero of the Soviet Union for the new heroic feats, similar to those perfect earlier, could be awarded the Order of Lenin and the Golden Star for the third time.

The first heroes of the Soviet Union "Golden Star" were not presented, because at that time the title of hero did not have external attributes. Later, the highest sign of the difference of this title was honored by the savings of the crew of the sunken "Chelyuskin". The first in the list to receive this medal is S. Leuanievsky, who during his lifetime did not have time to get it, as he died in the area of \u200b\u200bthe North Pole when performing a futury flight to the United States.

In 1939-1940 The Golden Star received many Soviet soldiers who fought on the side of the Republican Spanish Army and those who took part in the defeat of the Japanese troops in the area of \u200b\u200bLake Hassan and the Khalkhin-goal river, as well as distinguished in the battles on the Karelian Isthmus during the Soviet-Finnish armed conflict.

In just 1941, it was presented more than 600 people. The "Golden Star" medal was awarded the heroes of Leningrad, Stalingrad, Odessa, Sevastopol, Moscow, Kiev, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Minsk, Tula, Murmansk and Smolensk, as well as the Hero Fortress Brest.

More than 90% of the awards accounted for the Great Patriotic War: 11 657 soldiers and officers received the "Golden Star" medal, 3051 of them - posthumously. A large number of Awards are explained primarily by the mass manifestations of the heroism of Soviet people, the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union did not get "for beautiful eyes." And experienced warriors, and very green boys, yesterday's schoolchildren and students, did not regret life for the sake of deliverance of the Motherland from the fascist contagion. Hero's medal of the Soviet Union and a pilot Stepan Healthiests, who raced the fascist bomber in the first night of war, and Sergeant Vasily Kislyakov, who held height from the upcoming Germans for 7 hours, and Alexander Sailors, who closed the enemy embrasore, and thousands of more Selfless men, women and even children, to the last drop of blood knees with brown plague.

After 1945, the Hero's Medal of the Soviet Union was awarded to the Korean participants (1950-1953) and the Afghan (1979-1989) wars: 22 and 86 cavaliers, respectively, also until the 1980s continued to awarding the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, which, for various reasons, continued Previously did not receive a well-deserved award. The Soviet cosmonauts (total 84 awards) also received a star of the hero.

Hero of the Soviet Union - how proudly these words sound. This honorary title could only receive elected, who distinguished themselves to certain merits or made a feat. The Central Executive Committee 16.04.1934 for the first time established the title of "Hero of the USSR". Awarded the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union was issued. Let's remember how many heroes were, who first got a medal and much more.

All about the highest award

The most important award of the USSR - Star - appeared in 1939. At first she was as an additional sign of distinction for those who won the highest degree of differences. Then she was called differently: "Golden Star." It is made of gold, sample 950, and on its reverse side it is written "Hero of the USSR".

The gold medal was given for special merits and for the performers. The heroes called those who shot down airplanes (at least 15 pieces), saved people. Air arrows-bombers could get a "gold star" for 8 enemy aircraft shot down in the air.

The youngest Hero of the Soviet Union - Parisan Valentin Kotik. At that time he was 14 years old, but he was a brave pioneer. In 1943, the cat was able to kill the officer and raise anxiety. Thanks to him, the enemies were discovered and broken.

Today, the star "-" Hero of the Soviet Union "- you can even find on sale, at the antiques of the shadow merchants. Of course, it stands notice.

Anatoly Lyapidevsky - the famous Soviet pilot. He was a major general aviation. Today, almost no one remembers about him, but in vain. After all, he was the first hero of the Soviet Union. Anatoly Lyapidevsky received the medal "Golden Star" - "Hero of the Soviet Union" - had 3 orders of Lenin and many other awards. He received a star in April 1934 for the salvation of the Mennikov-Chelyuskintsev. He was looking for them, making 29 flights in bad weather (there was a terrible blizzard ). In March, he still found them, planted a plane on a thin icecline and saved 12 people, among them - women and two children. Then he participated in the Great Patriotic War, where he received his rewards.

Many believe that the first hero of the Soviet Union went too trite from life. Such a difficult and thorny passed the path and survived. And then he was at the funeral of the colleague, where he was very cold. He could not cure him, and on April 29, 1983 he died.

In honor of Lyapidevsky A. V. released the postal stamp of the USSR in 1935. Many streets of his name are named in Russia and Ukraine. In school, where the first hero of the Soviet Union was studied, and in 1990, a monument was put in the village of White clay in the village in the village.

There were few of them, only 95 people who were honored by this title. Some women - the Heroes of the Soviet Union were able to even get the title twice. Some awarded posthumously, others live today. Let's remember who had a "Golden Star" award of the Hero of the Soviet Union.

The first woman who received the high title of the Hero of the USSR is Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was awarded the medal posthumously. Zoe managed to burn the communications of the Germans, thanks to which they could not interact with their parts. The next time Zoe also tried to arrange arson, but she failed. She was caught and became brutally torturing. However, Zoe did not even say his name. It turned out to be a real guerrilla. When she was led to the gallows, all the beaten, in the blood, she went with proudly raised head. When she was preparing for hanging, she managed to shout that the Soviet Union did not win the Soviet Union, and her comrades would distort his fighting girlfriend. So it turned out. And after it received high title and other heroic women.

Maria Bida - worked as a sanitary instructor in the second battalion. It was 514 rifle regiment.

Gnilytskaya Nina - was a scout in the 383 rifle division.

Natalia bucket - was a very good sniper in the 528 rifle regiment (Red Army, awarded posthumously).

Tatyana Kostrina is a junior sergeant, an excellent sniper of the 691 rifle regiment.

Elena Stembkovskaya - Junior Sergeant, awarded posthumously. Was a radio line in 216 rifle shelf.

Maria Semenovna Polivanova - Krasnoamec, was a sniper in the 528 rifle shelf.

Svetlana Savitskaya - she was awarded twice. This is the first cosmonaut woman who came out in open space. - Major Aviation. In 1993, she retired.

All these women are the heroes of the Soviet Union, which are worthy of respect. After all, they passed a very hard and nice way.

Lyodkov Leonid Mikhailovich, the commander of the diver group, turned out to be the last hero, who was issued by the "Golden Star" Hero for the successful implementation of the special purpose. Leonid showed himself courageous, showed heroism and in December 1991 he was assigned the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union".

After Solodkov had a high title, the next day did not become the Soviet Union. Thus, Leonid Mikhailovich turned out to be the last hero. They gave him a reward 22 days after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Unfortunately, the "Golden Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union never averaged anyone else.

In all the existence of the USSR, about 13,000 people were awarded the honorary title of "Hero of the Soviet Union". Some have deprived this privilege for the discharge actions (72 cases). Two times were awarded 154 people. Kozhevube, Tashkin and Budne received awards three times. There are two people who were awarded 4 times for merit to the Motherland - L. I. Brezhnev and G. K. Zhukov.

All these heroes distinguished themselves with their merits before the Soviet Union and Public. They in one way or another committed the feats that respect for respect. The star of the Hero of the Soviet Union was obtained by them in fairness.

Even before such an honorary title received 626 citizens. All other heroes appeared from the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. These were not only Russian or Ukrainian citizens, but also representatives of other nationalities, of which 44 people received the "Golden Star".

You can bring in an example and other names that may not be so often sounded.

Pavel Shcherbinko - Lieutenant Colonel, who was a commander in the anti-tank artillery shelf.

Vladimir Aksyornov - engineer aboard the spacecraft. He has two "golden stars."

Stepan Artömenko - was a commander in the rifle battalion, twice was awarded for fighting feats.

Leonid trouble - at first he was an assistant commander, and then began to command the 75th Guards regiment. He was awarded twice the gold medal of the hero.

Athanasius Pavlandevich Beloborodov - He commanded the 43rd army and was awarded twice a medal.

Mikhail Bondarenko - was the commander and navigator in the aviation regiment, for which he was twice awarded high title.

Anatoly Brands - first was the deputy commander, and then he began to head the Aviation Regiment squadron himself. He deserved two times the gold medal.

Vladislav Volkov - was an engineer aboard the spacecraft, he was awarded twice.

Arseny Vorozheikin - commanded squadrons in a fighter aviation regiment, had two gold medals ..

Vasily Glazunov - was a commander in the Guards Rifle Corps. He was awarded twice the gold medal and high rank.

Sergey Denisov - commanded a detachment of fighter aviation brigades.

Vasily Zaitsev - Navigator and commander in the Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. He was Major Guard and twice received the title of "Hero of the USSR".

That's how many heroes of the Soviet Union. And that is not all. We listed the most famous that were famous for their courage and heroism.

What benefits were given to citizens who received the honorary title?

To date, there are certain privileges for citizens who have this title. Benefits for the heroes of the Soviet Union, which were at the USSR:

1. They are exempt from of different types taxes, fees and other contributions to the budget.

2. B. medical institutions Heroes of the USSR have the right to be treated for free.

3. Free travel on all types of urban and suburban transport (taxis is not included here).

4. Their state should provide free medicines with home delivery (if the doctor has made the necessary conclusion).

5. Free treatment and dental prosthetics (only in state dentistry).

6. Every year they must issue a free track in a sanatorium or a pre-selection.

7. Heroes are entitled to benefits for payment for utilities and housing.

8. They have the right to get a telephone connection without queue.

9. Children of Heroes have the right to submit relevant documents to the service of ritual services to bury their parents at the expense of the state.

10. In case the hero died, and his child is studying at the day office, then the state is obliged to pay a money reserve.

Conclusion

The award "Hero of the Soviet Union" was obtained by those citizens who really deserved it. It is they who teach us to love their homeland. They served to her and were ready to risk life, if only their compatriots were fine. How can I forget the Zoy Kosmodemyanskaya, who, until the last sigh, screamed the Germans in the face, how she hates them and knows that the Soviet Union will win. She was punched with sticks, rods, disappeared nails, but the Germans did not even recognize her real name. There were thousands of such heroes. They knew who were fighting and what was defending. Heroes who received a reward in the USSR were brave, decisive and they are worthy of great respect.

Today there are fewer patriots who are ready to give their lives for their homeland. Thoughts and views of people became completely different. Perhaps this is because the time is calmer, not that in the Great Patriotic War. Yes, many do not understand why to fight, if you can live peacefully. But, as they say, each his own.

By the decision of the USSR CEC dated July 29, 1936, the provision on the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union was approved.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 1, 1939, in order to special differences between citizens awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union and making new heroic feats, establish a "Golden Star" medal, having a form of a five-pointed star.

The first medal was awarded the hero of the Soviet Union by the polar pilot A. S. Lyapidevsky. During the Great Patriotic War, the first differences were honored with fighter pilots M. P. Zhukov. S. I. Healthy and P. T. Kharitonov who committed their feats in the sky near Leningrad.

Regulations on the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of differences and is assigned to personal or collective services to the Soviet state and society associated with the commission of the heroic feat.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union is assigned by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The Hero of the Soviet Union is awarded:
- the highest award of the USSR-Ordden Lenin;
- Sign of special differences - the "Golden Star" medal;
- Mrink of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Hero of the Soviet Union, who committed a secondary heroic feat, no less, for which others who committed such a feat, honor the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, is awarded the Order of Lenin and the second medal "Golden Star" and to commemorate his features a bronze bust of the hero with an appropriate inscription, Installed in his homeland, what is being recorded in the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on awarding.
Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded by two medals "Golden Star", for the new heroic exploits, similar to previously perfect, can be awarded again awarded the Order of Lenin and the "Golden Star" medal.
With awarding the Hero of the Soviet Union, Lenin's Order and the Medal "Golden Star", at the same time with the Order and the medal gives the diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
In the event that the Hero of the Soviet Union will be awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, then a bronze bust of the hero with an appropriate inscription, installed in his homeland, is built into commemoration of his heroic and employment, established in his homeland, what is being recorded in the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the assignment of the title of Hero of the Socialist Labor.
Heroes of the Soviet Union enjoy benefits established by law.
The medal "Golden Star" Hero of the Soviet Union is on the left side of the chest over the orders and medals of the USSR.
The deprivation of the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union can be produced only by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

More than 11,600 soldiers, officers and generals of the Red Army, partisans and underground workers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the acceptance committed during the Great Patriotic War.
The author of the Medal project is the artist I. I. Dubasov.
The first three medals were awarded a military pilot of the Hero of the Soviet Union A. I. Tinchen.
Among the distinction of a lot of foreigners awarded the highest degree. The title of the Hero of the Soviet Union received four French pilots "Normandy-Neman" regiment: Marseille Albert. Rolland de la Puap, Jacques Andre, Marcel Lefevre. It was posthumously awarded the title of Jan Nacchatka, the commander of the partisan detachment, consisting of Czechs and Slovaks.
Among the post-war heroes of the Soviet Union were the pilots of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps who fought in North Korea against the American and South Korean Aces.
On June 8, 1960, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned to the Spaniard Ramon Mscadera, who arrived in the USSR from Mexico after serving a 20-year sentence for the murder of Lion Trotsky, committed to them in 1940 by order of Stalin. A year later, Fidel Castro and President Egypt Nasser became the heroes of the USSR.
For the exploits committed during the war years. The title of the Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded the people who received the stigma of the famous Motherland under Stalin. Justice was restored with respect to the defender of the Brest Fortress Major P. M. Gavrilova, the hero of the French resistance of Lieutenant Girika (posthumously), the cavaller of the Italian medal resistance to Polezhaev (posthumously). Lieutenant Lieutenant In 1945, he made an escape from captivity to Canya German Bomber. Instead of the award, he was put in the camp, as a "traitor". In 1957 he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In 1964, the hero was the intelligence officer Richard Zorge (posthumously). With M. S. Gorbachev was awarded the title of Hero, the famous marinesco submariner, undeservedly forgotten after the war.

Higher title of USSR - Hero of the Soviet Union - 16 April 1934 was established according to the situation, "the title of Hero of the Soviet Union is the highest degree of differences and is assigned to personal or collective services to the Soviet state and a society associated with the commission of the heroic feat." The uniqueness of this award was that she was neither an order nor the title.

For the first time, the country's highest title was assigned in three days by pilots, who distinguished themselves when salvation of the icebreaker "Chelyuskin" - Anatoly Lyapidevsky, Sigizmundu Levanel, Vasily Moloko, Nikolai Kamanin, Mauritius, Mikhail Vodopyanov and Ivan Doronin. The fate of the first heroes has formed in their majority well. Only Levanevsky in the 1937th disappeared during an attempt to make a non-winning flight in the United States on the newest Bombarder DB-A (numerous attempts to find the disappeared aircraft still did not lead to anything). Blinding and Doronin died shortly after the Great Patriotic War. Until the old years, the villages lived (died in 1980), Milks (1982), Lyapidevsky (1983, he died, having witnessed at the funeral of Milkov) and Kamanin (1984).

Initially, the heroes were relying only a special diploma from the CEC. But from July 29, 1936, when the position of the name of the hero was published, their owners were also automatically handed over the country's higher reward - the Order of Lenin. Thus, the external differences of the hero of the Soviet Union of the Sample 1934-36. There were no, and the hero of the Soviet Union of the 1936 sample was not different from the "ordinary" cavaller of the Supreme Order of the USSR.

In the same year, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was first assigned to a military feat. On December 31, 1936, he received 11 commanders of the Red Army, distinguished in Spain. Among them was the first foreigner-hero of the Soviet Union - Bulgarian Volkan Mountain (real name of Zahari Zakhariev). Subsequently, he became the commander of Bulgarian Air Force and in 1974 was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. At the same time, the title was first assigned to posthumously, he was honored with three flew in Spain.

The fate of some heroes from this "Spanish" cohorts of 1936 were tragic. So, Lieutenant S.A. Chernya, one of the first Soviet pilots, knocked down in the sky of Spain the latest at that time "Messerschmitt-109", at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he commanded the 9th mixed airdavisia, which on the first day of the war was practically destroyed on Airfields (from 409 aircraft killed 347). The hero was defended in the criminal idleness shot on June 27, 1941.

On October 25, 1938, the first massive assignment of the title of the hero was held: 26 people received him for courage, manifested in the battles at Lake Hassan. It was then that heroes for the first time became not only the commanders, but also four ordinary fighters of the Red Army. And soon after that, on November 2, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was first received by women - Valentina Grisodubov, Polina Osipenko and Marina Svalov, who were awarded for a non-final flight from Moscow to the Far East.

1939 was marked by an important innovation. To externally distinguish the heroes of the Soviet Union, which they already had 122, from ordinary cavaliers of the Order of Lenin, On August 1, 1939, a special medal "Hero of the Soviet Union" was established. However, on October 16 of the same year, she was renamed medal "Golden Star". Then it was clarified that it could be presented repeatedly, but not more than three times. Moreover, the Order of Lenin issued only with the first star, but not with subsequent. The first handing of the "Golden Star" took place on November 4, 1939, then the star number 1 received the hero of the Soviet Union No. 1 Lyapidevsky.

The description of the medal sounds like this: "Medal" Golden Star " It is a five-pointed star with smooth coughne rays on the front side. The distance from the center of the star to the top of the beam is 15 mm. The distance between the opposite ends of the star is 30 mm. The back of the medal has a smooth surface and is limited by contour protruding fine rim. On the back of the medal in the center of the medal is the inscription by the convex letters "Hero of the USSR". Size of letters 4 by 2 mm. In the upper beam there is a number of medal height in 1 mm. The medal with a toe and rings is connected to a metal gold-plated block, which is a rectangular plate with a height of 15 mm and a width of 19.5 mm, with frames in the upper and lower parts. Along the base of the pads go slits, its inner part is covered with silk moored red ribbon 20 mm wide. The pad has on the back of a row pin with a nut to attach the medal to clothing. "

It must be said that the block of medal in size 15 at 19.5 mm existed very long - from August 1, 1939 to June 19, 1943, about a thousand such "gold stars" was awarded about a thousand (the most famous number - 717). From June 19, 1943 and up to the collapse of the USSR, the sizes of the pads on which the medal was worn were already 26 by 21.5 mm. The medal was made of 950 samples gold and weighed together with a 34.2 grams' shoe.

For participation in the battles on the Khalkhin-goal River, 70 people received 70 people, 20 of them posthumously. And on August 29, 1939, the first twice heroes of the Soviet Union appeared in the country. These were Military pilots Major Sergei Grovets and Major (later the youngest in the Red Army Lieutenant-General) Gregory Kravchenko. Before the victory, they did not live: Grovel in less than a month after the award died in a plane crash, and Kravchenko died in battle in February 1943.

In 1940, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union received 15 members of the crew of the icebreaking steamer "Georgy Sedov", drifting in ice 812 days. This award remains unique - more than any ship's crew never received this title. According to the results of the Soviet-Finnish war, 1939-40. Heroes were 412 people.

On June 22, 1941, 626 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, three women were awarded. Five people were twice the heroes - the pilots of S.I. Gritsevian, S.P. Denisov, G.P. Kravchenko, Ya.V.Smushkevich and the polar star I.D. Papanin.

It is easy to see that the absolute majority of pre-war heroes were military pilots, among which were real legends - Valery Chkalov, Mikhail Gromov, Vladimir Kokkinaki ... It was easily explained - in the 1930s, the profession of the pilot was surrounded by a halo of romance, they were authentic folk idols. And it is not surprising that the first heroes of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War were also the pilots: the younger lieutenants M.P. Zhukov, S.I. Kondovtsev and P.T. Kharitonov, who were tagged on June 27, 1941 on their fighters I-16 Enemy bombers. High title was assigned to them on July 8. The first twice hero during the war was the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel S.P. Suprun, who was mortally wounded in unequal air combat on July 4, 1941 and received the second title of Hero posthumously on July 22.

In the ground forces, the first hero was the commander of the 1st Moscow Motor Storeline Division Colonel Ya.G. Kreser, who received the title July 15, 1941 for organizing defense on the Berezina River. The first partisan who was awarded the highest title of the country, became the commander and commissioner of the Belarusian squad "Red October" by T.P.Bumazhkov (August 6). The first sailor - the hero of the Soviet Union fought on the northern fleet, it was the senior sergeant V.P. Kislyakov, distinguished himself during the landing of the landing (the title was assigned on August 14). But the border guards lieutenant A.K. Konstantinov, Sergeant I.D. Bumitkov and Jr. Sergeant V.F.Mikhalkov, courageously met the enemy on the very first day of war, June 22, 1941, received deserved "Golden Stars" only on August 26. The first woman awarded high rank during the war (posthumously) was February 19, 1942 by Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya.

During 1942, the first twice Heroes of the Soviet Union appeared, which received both ranks during the war: pilots lieutenant colonel B.F. Safonov and Captain A.I. Molodchi. The following, 1943, have already appeared nine twice of heroes. Mass was the assignment of this title for the forcing of the Dnieper - then the heroes of steel were 2438 people, of which 1268 ordinary and sergeants, 1123 officers and 47 generals and marshals. In 1943, the first hero of the Soviet Union appeared - a foreigner who was not a citizen of the USSR, nor the warrior of the Red Army. It was a porquet of the Czechoslovak Army Otakar Yarosh, awarded title posthumously on April 17th.

On August 19, 1944, in the USSR, the title Hero of the Soviet Union was first awarded for the third time - the fighter pilot to Colonel A.I. Pokryshkin. Two more people became three times heroes after the war. This is the Marshal of the Soviet Union G. Khukov, who received the third "Golden Star" on June 1, 1945, and the fighter pilot Major I.N. Kozhedub (awarded on August 18, 1945) By the way, in 1944 he should have appeared yet one three times the hero is the third performance after the skin and the top pilot Major N.D.Gulaev, but he, having learned about the upcoming award, on joys so touched in the Moscow restaurant, which was deprived of the title, not even received the "Golden Star", and so And stayed twice the hero ...

In the entire history of the Great Patriotic War, there were only three cases when the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned to all the fighters of the same division. On July 21, 1942, 28 Geroev-Panfilovts from the 1075th Rifle Regiment were steel, on May 18, 1943 - the platoon of the 78th Guards Rifle Shelf under the command of Lieutenant P.N.shronin, and on April 2, 1945 - paratroopers of the elder Lieutenant K.F.olshansky, courageously fought during the liberation of the city of Nikolaev.

Repeated Hero's title for exploits on the battlefield and children - 14-year-old Marat Cases and Lenya Golikov, 16-year-old Sasha Chekalin, 17-year-old Zina Portorova. The last young hero, who received this title for the feat, became a single detachment of semi-monglisers of the 1st Bobruian Brigade of River Ships of the Dnieper Military Flotilla, Vladimir Cherinov. He died during the storming of the capital of Germany on April 24, 1945 with the words: "Tell mom that I still reached Berlin."

The fate of the heroes of the Soviet Union of the time of the war other than once developed quite unusual. So was the hero of the Soviet Union No. 1733 (the title was awarded on October 10, 1943), Guard Senior Lieutenant Ivan Ivanovich Datsenko, Commander of the 10th Regimental Aviation Regiment. In the official biographical reference book "Heroes of the Soviet Union" it was said that he was "April 12, 1944 he did not return from combat task." However, in fact, Datsenko managed to jump with a parachute, landed on the enemy territory and was able to go through the front line, after which he was arrested and sent to the filtration camp. On the way, Datsenko fled and in the future I emigrated to Canada, where I married the daughter of the Indian leader and in the end ... He himself became the leader of the tribe.

During the Great Patriotic War, the absolute majority of all the heroes of the Soviet Union received their titles - 11,657 people, or 91 percent of 100. Among them are 2400 pilots, 1800 artilleryrs, 1142 tankers, approximately 650 sappers, 513 sailors, more than 290 conveyors, 234 partisans and Underfloor agers, more than 150 border guards, officers and soldiers of the internal troops, 52 fighters of the rear. 3051 people High title was assigned posthumously.

Double heroes of the Soviet Union in 1941-45. Steel 107 people (seven - posthumously) , Of these, four Marshal of the Soviet Union (G. Zhukov, A.M.Vasilevsky, I.S. Konov and K.K. Crokosovsky), one main marshal of aviation, 21 generals and 76 officers. And three times the hero, as already mentioned, the war finished only A.I. Pokryshkin.

Most of all among the cavaliers of the Golden Star was officers - 61 percent, then the individuals of the ordinary and sergeant composition were followed (35 percent, and twice the heroes - not one), but generals, admirals and marshals among the heroes were quite a bit - 380 people, or 3 more than a percentage. During the war years, the high title was assigned to 90 women (49 - posthumously) and 18 foreign citizens, including one woman.

At the end of 1945, the number of Heroes of the Soviet Union in the USSR increased by 93 people. They received the highest title of the country for the feats committed during the war with Japan, and six people honored this title twice.

During 1945-53. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union again, as before the war, was awarded very infrequently and only for outstanding military exploits. 22 people received a title for war in Korea, among them was the pilot Major S.P.Subbotin, in 1951 for the first time in the world, who fulfilled a successful ram on the MiG-15 jet fighter. However, no noise around these feats in the USSR was raised. For example, if they talked about the radio that the Supbotin - Hero of the Soviet Union, immediately clarified that the title was assigned to him in ... 1944.

After the death of I.V. Stalin, the attitude towards the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union among the ruling top of the country began to gradually change. Now he was appropriated not only for outstanding military exploits, but according to the most distinct reasons. So, on February 3, 1956, the "Golden Star" was first presented ... for the birthday. She received her 75th anniversary by the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Marshal of the Soviet Union K.E.Voroschilov. And already on December 1 of the same year, the first four hours of the Hero of the Soviet Union appeared in the USSR. In honor of its 60th anniversary, the heroic title was received by the USSR Defense Minister, Marshal of the Soviet Union and three times the hero of the Soviet Union G. Khukov. Thus, the provision on the rank of 1939 was broken, which clearly indicated the maximum number of possible awards - three. In addition, along with the fourth "Golden Star", Zhukov also received the Order of Lenin, and he, according to the rules of 1939, was handed over with the first medal, but not followed.

In the future, after these precedents, cases of assigning the highest title of the country as a "gift" for anniversaries or memorable Date Honored military leaders and statesmen have become frequent and virtually the norm. So, Marshal of the Soviet Union K.E.Voroshilov his second "Golden Star" received the on the eve of the 50th anniversary Soviet armyFebruary 22, 1968. And Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M.Budenova overtook Voroshilov in the number of "Gift" "Golden Stars", becoming the fourth in the history of the USSR three times hero (February 1, 1958, April 24, 1963 and February 22, 1968) Initiator of this practice The first secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU N.S. Khrushchev did not forget himself: for his 70th anniversary, he added the hero of the Soviet Union's "Golden Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union to his 70th anniversary ...

The Board of Khrushchev was marked by the fact that the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, in addition to the "Jubilee", was also "diplomatic" award. Her generously distributed " necessary people"Most different political orientation. Among these heroes of the Soviet Union - Prime Minister Algeria Ahmed Ben Bell, Head of Cuba Fidel Castro, President and Vice-President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser and Amer Abdel Khakim. From the chapters of European states, the heroes of the Soviet Union were Six - Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honkecker (GDR), Janos Cadar (Hungary), Ludwik Freedom and Gustav Gusak (Czechoslovakia), Todor Zhivkov (Bulgaria). The assignment of the heroic ranks was in the people quite understandable feelings - from irony to a frank perturbation. Overall opinion expressed Vladimir Vysotsky in the song:

Losing true faith,

Hurt me for our USSR:

Need the Order of the Shooter,

Not suitable for the Order of Nasser!

You can even cover with the tribunes by mat,

Distribute gifts imaging and so

Call Nasser our brother

But to give a hero - it will throw it!

Why is there no gold in the country?

Crushed, reptiles, crushed.

It would be better to give in war

And the nasaine after b to forgive us!

"Secret" assignments of high rank continued. Thus, the "secret" hero of the Soviet Union No. 11 089 May 31, 1960 was Ramon Ivanovich Lopez - under the same name was known in the USSR Ramon Merkder, who received this award for the murder in the 1940s L.D. Tretssky.

During the 1960-70s. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was repeatedly assigned to foreigners who have shown themselves during the Great Patriotic War. In 1964, he was honored with the soldier of the Wehrmacht Friedrich Smenkel, who during the war went to the side of the USSR, fought in the partisan detachment, was captured by the Nazis and KazNen. In 1972, General Bulgarian army Vladimir Zaimov became posthumously, in 1938-42. Actively collaborated with Soviet intelligence and for this shot. And in general, in the 1960-70s, in the USSR, they actively tried to "catch up" missed, assigning posthumously high titles undervalued in the past heroes. Among them, the requester R. Zerge, who committed a bold escape from the enemy captivity M.P.Devyatayev, a defender of the Brest Fortress Major P.M. Gavrilov, partitioning in Italy F.A. Poletayev, underground worker M.T. Kislyak. Pskov peasant M.K. Kuzmin, repeated during the war of the feat of Ivan Susanin and awarded the "golden star" posthumously in 1965, became the most elderly owner of this title (the feat was performed at the age of 83). By the way, the most young Hero of the Soviet Union is the 14-year-old partisan Valya Kitty, - also received the title posthumously, in 1958

Since 1961, the "Golden Stars" of the Heroes of the Soviet Union was invariably handed over to all Soviet cosmonauts since Yuri Gagarin. The first cosmonauts - twice the heroes appeared in 1969, these were V.A. Shahatalov and A.S. Lesseev, and both "golden stars" were deserved by them for one year (January 22 and October 22, 1969) only twice 35 astronauts became heroes. However, in the future, when astronauts who committed the third and fourth flights appeared, the heroic title for these feats was no longer assigned to them, the reward in this case served the Order of Lenin. Cosmonauts from socialist countries flying along with Soviet people were also assigned the heroic title, but the cosmonauts of "capitalists" received the youngest Soviet Order of Peoples.

To the twentieth anniversary of the victory, in 1965, the title "Hero City" was established in the USSR, intended for cities whose population distinguished himself during the Great Patriotic War. Such cities were awarded the "Golden Star" and the Order of Lenin. On all this title received 12 cities and one fortress, the last assignment of the title took place in 1985 (Smolensk and Murmansk).

On May 14, 1973, the Regulations on the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" was revised. In the new edition, it was pointed out that from now on the title could be awarded an unlimited number of times, and the Order of Lenin was presented now to each "golden star", and not just to the first. In the "Brezhnev Epoch", which was marked by a large number of "anniversary" awards, such clarifications were as impossible by the way. Anniversary "Heroes" (in this case, writing the word in quotes is quite justified) Steel, for example, the USSR Defense Ministers Marshals of the Soviet Union A.A. Grechko (1958 and 1973) and D.F. Austinov (1978), Marshals of the Soviet Union S. K.Timoshenko (1965) and N.V. Ogarkov (1977), Marshal Aviation Aviation I.I.PESHO (1978), General Army I.S.Tyuleniev (1978) ... "For a birthday", heroic titles were assigned to foreigners (so Already in the midst of the "perestroika", in December 1987, the Hero of the Soviet Union in connection with the 80th anniversary was the Minister of State Security of the GDR Erich Milk). But I passed all, of course, the Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the CPSU L.I. Brezhnev, who received four (!) Hero of the Hero of the Soviet Union in peacetime, and all of his birthdays. The Golden Stars were awarded to him on December 18, 1966, December 18, 1976, December 19, 1978 and 18, 1981 - respectively, by 60-, 70-, 72- and 75th anniversary. Of course, no one seriously perceived such awards - everything in the country perfectly understood what. But that the very title of the Hero of the Soviet Union with each such anniversary awards is rapidly devalued that every such "golden star" insults those who paid their reward with blood, and will determine those whose feat was perpetuated posthumously, it seems, few people wondered.

The last combat campaign for which the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned, - Afghan. The "Afghan" heroes were 86 people, the first in the 1980s was Sergeant Nikolai Chepik, who exploded himself with surrounding his dubs. Among the "Afghan" heroes of the Soviet Union and two soldiers from the legendary 9th company - Vyacheslav Alexandrov and Anatoly Melnikov, who received the title posthumously in June 1988. In the same year, the last time the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned to a foreigner - the Afghan cosmonaut Abdulum Mom.

On the eve of Victory Day on May 5, 1990, a posthumous assignment of the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union was held a large group of war heroes, whose feats were not at one time appreciated. Thus, the Heroes of the S-13 A.I. Marynesko, the Hermann Liner "Wilhelm Gustlm", the flyer - E.I. Zelenko, the price of the life of the life of an enemy aircraft, and L.V. Lvtvak, Having shot down 11 enemy fighters, a member of the underground organization "Young Guard" I.V.Turkenych and others. The same decree, the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned to the Sanningor of the battalion marine infantry E.I. Mikhailova, who has already appeared twice for this rank in 1944, but then he did not receive it. She became the last woman in the history of the USSR, awarded the "Golden Star".

A vivid example of what happened to the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union by the end of its existence, the posthumous assignment of the "Gold Stars" to the participants of the August 1991 events in Moscow can be served. Then the heroes of the Soviet Union were Dmitry Komar, Ilya Krichevsky and Vladimir Usov. "The icons of democracy" three of these young people were chosen solely because died by their own negligence at the moment when they tried to prevent the departure of the column military equipment. What exactly here is the "Heroic feat", especially directed against the army of his own country, it is difficult to understand now, but then, in 1991, it was clear to everyone that the assignment of the heroic title to the dead simply "requires a political moment."

The latest hero of the Soviet Union on December 24, 1991 was a sailor - a 33-year-old diving specialist Captain of the 3rd rank Leonid Mikhailovich Lododkov, who showed courage and heroism when performing a special task of command on testing new diving equipment. He received the "Golden Star" No. 11664. And he was awarded the award only on January 16, 1992, when the USSR no longer existed.

Total title Hero of the Soviet Union in 1934-91. 12 776 people were awarded, including 154 - twice, 3 - three times and 2 - four times. Among the heroes of the Soviet Union - 95 women (one - the pilot-cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya - in 1982 and 1984 he became twice with a hero).

The owners of the highest title of the USSR were 44 foreigners, including 9 Chekhov, 5 Germans, French and Bulgarians, 4 Poles, two Spaniards, Cubans, Hungarians and Egyptians and one Italian, Romanu, Mongol, Vietnamese, Indian, Syrians and Afghan .

In the total number of awarded no 73 people, devoid of titles, and 13, for which a decree on awarding was canceled as unreasonable. Of the 73 devoid ranks 55 were subsequently restored. The 15 heroes of the Soviet Union were executed, of which 11 were rehabilitated and restored in the rank. That is, the total number of heroes of the Soviet Union is 12,862 people.

The title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" ceased to exist together with the collapse of the USSR. However, it served as a prototype of numerous similar ranks arising mainly in socialist and post-Soviet states. And now the existing medals "Hero Russian Federation"And" Hero of Belarus "even externally repeat the design of the medal" Golden Star ".

Vyacheslav Bondarenko