Order of the Red Banner

Order of the Red Banner
Badge
Medal
Ribbon

The Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner (in Russian: Орден Крaсного ЗнамениOrden Krasnogo Znameni), a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War. The first recipient was Vasily Blyukher^[1] on September 28, 1918^[2]. It was later titled the Award of the Soviet Government of the Soviet Union. During the Russian Civil War there existed similarly-named orders and decorations established by the Soviet communist governments of several other constituent and nonconstituent republics. On August 1, 1924, the Soviet Union established the all-Soviet Order of the Red Banner to deserving personnel of the Red Army.

Other nonmilitary awards also used the phrase "Order of the Red Banner" in their title; for example, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour was presented for acts of great scientific, military (technical or logistic), manufacturing, or agricultural achievement.

As a military decoration, The Order of the Red Banner recognised heroism in combat or otherwise extraordinary accomplishments of military valour during combat operations. Before the establishment of the Order of Lenin on April 6, 1930, the Order of the Red Banner functioned as the highest (and practically the only) military order of the USSR. During World War II, under various titles (including the Order of the Red Banner of Military Valour and Order of the Red Banner for Maritime Valour), it was presented both to individuals and to units for acts of extreme military heroism. In some ways, the Order of the Red Banner was more prestigious, as it could only be awarded for bravery during combat operations, whereas the Order of Lenin was sometimes awarded to non-military personnel and political leaders. Nearly all well-known Soviet commanders became Cavaliers of the Order of the Red Banner. However, from 1944 to 1958, it could also be awarded for length of service, with the first award for 20 years in uniform, and the second for 30.

The order consisted of a white-enamelled badge, which had a golden Hammer and Sickle badge surrounded by two golden panicles of wheat on a Red Star, backed by crossed hammer, plough, torch and a red flag bearing the motto Proletarians (Workers) of the World, Unite!. This was surrounded by two golden panicles of wheat; at the bottom were the letters "CCCP" (USSR).

The Order was originally presented as a badge, which was worn on the left chest. A ribbon attachment was added, which consisted of a red ribbon bearing a wide white central stripe and a narrow white stripe on the edges.