Honorary titles and awards of Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

Stalin had various medals and orders in the treasury of awards, and he was awarded many honorary titles. But eyewitnesses claimed that the generalissimo, whose name is known throughout the world, really valued only one distinctive sign that he wore on all official events.

Various speculations about the numerous medals and awards

When Stalin was in power, not even the most courageous person would dare to express out doubt that some orders, medals and titles were received by the Commander-in-Chief of the USSR unjustly. But after the end of his authoritarian rule such statements could be heard more and more often. One of the versions voiced with respect to Stalin's awards was the statement that he specially wrote out various military awards to himself so as not to look in a bad light in the eyes of his subordinates. It should be noted immediately that some military commanders of these awards often had much more than Stalin's.

In addition, to date, you can read a lot of authoritative evidence that confirms that Stalin is a man who ruled the Soviet Union for about 30 years - until the end of his life remained modest enough and preferred an ascetic way of life. He did not like to brag about material goods and achievements, so it's really difficult to imagine that such a person could specially reward himself with something worthy to look next to military commanders.

Stalin's special attitude to his awards

In their memoirs, books and memoirs, people who had the opportunity to personally communicate with Stalin, and also spent some time with him, note that he had a modest attitude toward rewards. He never liked to brag about them and did not show off. Even the received medal "For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945." He wore very rarely.

Taking this into account, it is difficult to assume that Iosif Vissarionovich specially wrote out his awards and put forward his candidacy for state ranks. Why did the generalissimo need orders and medals that he was not going to boast about, and did not even consider it necessary to wear them for various official events?

Despite how many awards Stalin had, he always had, without exception, only one gold medal "Hammer and Sickle."

The gold medal with the image of a sickle and a hammer was awarded to Stalin in 1939, by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council for special merits in building the socialist society of the USSR, maintaining friendly relations between peoples and for the merits in organizing the Bolshevik party. Many could not understand why Stalin valued so much for this award. But authoritative historians and biographers say that this award, like no other, reflected the meaning of his life - work for the development and prosperity of the socialist Fatherland.

Reproach Marshal Zhukov

It is worth noting that some of his awards, which were received by him before the war, Iosif Vissarionovich still occasionally wore. Those who were handed in during the war years generalissimo wore very rarely. But those Stalin awards that were awarded after the war for the Great Victory, it was almost impossible to see on it.

It can be assumed that he believed that most of these medals were given undeservedly. And perhaps, Stalin considered them deserved, but received an incommensurably high price. In favor of such reflections, one can cite the situation described by Yu. Mukhin in one of his books.

According to the author, at a banquet organized for the high command in honor of the Victory, Zhukov sat at the same table with Stalin. In this case, no expected laudatory odes in honor of the First Marshal of Victory Zhukov did not sound. To the marshal himself and some of those present it seemed strange. Zhukov decided to take the initiative in his hands and say a toast.

He began by saying that the most difficult time he had experienced during the entire Second World War was Moscow's defense. Stalin, having listened to all this speech, confirmed that the time was difficult and in many respects decisive for the subsequent outcome of the war. He mentioned that at the same time, many defenders of the capital never received well-deserved awards, because, having distinguished themselves in battles, they were seriously injured or remained disabled. Then Stalin heavily punched the table and noticed that those who did not need to be encouraged by these awards, did not forget, got up from the table and left, never returning to the banquet.

The first awards of young Stalin

Despite the specific attitude to the medals "For Victory", Stalin still valued his first awards. In addition to the Hero of Labor star, they include the following:

• The Order of the Red Banner was awarded in 1919 for the final capture of Tsaritsyn by the Red troops.
• The Order of the Red Banner was awarded in 1937 for services shown at the front of the social structure.
• The medal "XX years of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army" was issued in 1938.

Awards received in the war years

Since Iosif Vissarionovich was commander-in-chief of the USSR troops, during the Second World War he was awarded medals and orders:

• Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the Order of Suvorov I st. For the brilliant leadership of the operations of the Red Army against the German invaders in 1943.
  
• Order of the Red Banner "For 20 years of impeccable service" was issued in 1944.
• The Order of Victory No. 3 was issued in 1944 for the development of offensive operations of spacecraft, which led to the defeat of the fascists.
• The medal "For the Defense of Moscow" was received in 1944.

Orders and medals received in the post-war period

The medals issued exactly in the post-war period were of no special use to Stalin. Among them are:

• The medal "For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" was received in 1945.
  
• The Order "Victory" No. 15 was received in 1945 for merits in the organization of all the Armed Forces of the USSR and their skilful guidance during the war.
• "Gold Star" - a medal received in 1945, for the leadership of the spacecraft in difficult days for the Motherland and the capital.
• The medal "For victory over Japan" was received in 1945.

Awards given by various republics

In addition to state awards, JV Stalin also had awards received for his services from other republics. These include:

1. Awards given by the Czechoslovak SSR: two Military Crosses of 1939 (the first was awarded in 1943, the second in 1945) and two Orders of the White Lion (1st century and "For Victory") were awarded in 1945.
2. Order received from Tuvan HP: the Order of the Republic of the People's Republic of China was issued in 1943.
3. Ranks, medals and orders of Mongolian HP: medal awarded for "Victory over Japan" (1945); Order of. Sukhbaatar was obtained in 1945; Awarding the title of Hero of the Republic of Mongolia with the receipt of the "Golden Star"; A medal dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Mongolian Revolution, issued in 1946.
4. The Order of the Red Star, issued by the Bukhara Soviet Republic, Stalin was awarded in 1922.

Received titles

After the victory at Stalingrad in March 1943, a new military rank was awarded to Stalin: the Marshal. After the end of the Second World War, in the circles of the close-ups, more and more conversations were started that the Commander-in-Chief should be awarded the title of Generalissimo. But Stalin's honorary titles were not interested, and he refused for a long time. Suddenly, a letter from K. Rokossovsky could be influenced by him, in which the author, referring to Stalin, remarked that they were both marshals. And if Stalin once wanted to punish Rokossovsky, he will not have enough power for this, because their military ranks are equal.

This argument proved to be very well-grounded for Joseph Vissarionovich, and he gave his long-awaited agreement. This title was given to him in June 1945, but until his last days, Stalin refused to wear a uniform with the shoulder straps of the Generalissimo. He considered it too elegant and luxurious.