The Order of the Patriotic War was introduced in 1942. It was the first Soviet award that had two degrees and appeared during the Second World War. The projects of the order were developed by S. I. Dmitriev and A. I. Kuznetsov. There were thirty different options. As a result, two sketches of each specialist were left. Several copies of the award were made according to them, but the Kuznetsov version was taken as the basis, with the replacement of crossed swords with a saber and a rifle. The inscription "Patriotic War" was taken from Dmitriev's sketches.
The charter stated that the Order of the Patriotic War was introduced to award those who distinguished themselves in battles the command and rank and file of the army, parts of the NKVD, fleet and partisans. This award was given to people who actively contributed to the successful completion of operations and combat missions, as well as to soldiers who showed resilience and courage. She had two degrees, the highest of which was the first. In the statutefor the first time, specific feats for which a person could be awarded began to be indicated. Prior to this, orders and medals of the Great Patriotic War were awarded on the basis of general wording, and their statutes did not contain such an exact list.
The badge of the order looks like a convex star, covered with red-ruby enamel, against the background of silver (2nd degree) or gold (1st degree) rays, which diverge in the form of a five-pointed star. Its ends are placed between the rays of a red star. In the center, on a plate covered with red enamel, there are a golden hammer and sickle. It is edged with a white belt with gold rims, on which there is an asterisk and the inscription "Patriotic War". Behind, against the background of a gold (silver) star, are the ends of a checker and a rifle that are crossed.
As an addition to the award, a moiré ribbon of burgundy-colored silk with red longitudinal stripes is provided: for the 2nd degree - two stripes along the edges, and for the 1st degree - one in the middle. For more than 30 years, the Order of the Patriotic War was the only one that was preserved in the families of the victims as a memory of their exploits. Then this right extended to other awards.
One of the first holders of the order were artillerymen. In June 1942, the Order of the 1st degree was awarded to Art. sergeant A. Smirnov, captain I. Krikliy, and also ml. political instructor I. Statsenko. In May of the same year, their division in the Kharkov region destroyed 32 Nazi tanks. Orders of the Great Patriotic War were awarded forexceptional feats, of which there were a lot at that time. However, most of the awards took place in the period 1943-1945, which is natural.
. Nemfira. For the entire period of the Second World War, the Order of the Patriotic War became a hallmark for about 1 million 276 thousand soldiers. About 325 thousand awards were 1st class.
As a commemorative badge for veterans, the order was revived in 1985. Taking into account the anniversary awards for 1992, about 2 million 490 thousand awards of the 1st degree and about 6 million 690 thousand of the 2nd degree were awarded.
