Medal "For Labor Valor" (USSR)

In the period of the formation of the power of the Soviet state, special attention was paid to encouraging citizens of the future power to work. Not only ideological and encouraging slogans went to the course, but also various ways of rewarding. Among them was the established medal "For Labor Valor".

Establishment of awards

The medal "For Labor Valor" (photo it is presented in this article) was one of the first awards in the Soviet Union, which appeared in the pre-war years. In 1938, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issued a decree on the establishment of the medal and compiled an initial list of those who could claim to be awarded it. Subsequently, some changes were made to the regulation on awarding.

The medal was intended for those who valiantly and selflessly worked. Among the potential nominees for the award were toilers of collective farms, scientific and cultural figures, specialists in the national economy, education, medicine and others. Also those who were not citizens of the USSR could also be awarded.

Grounds for awarding

Awarded with the medal "For Labor Valor" differed by overfulfilment of the plans of socialist tasks, production rates, increased labor productivity, and improved quality of products. In addition, the field of vision was scientific discoveries, improving production capacity, the introduction of advanced technologies, the implementation of important rationalization solutions.

The workers of trade, housing and communal services, education and healthcare professionals, consumer services and nutrition, as well as cultural, scientific, artistic, literary, and later filmmakers also often received awards. They were awarded a medal and achievements in the field of sports, communist upbringing and training of the younger generation.

Outward appearance

The Medal "For Labor Valor" has a regular round shape, its diameter is 3.4 centimeters. A reward is obtained from the silver of the highest standard. The obverse depicts a five-pointed star covered with a ruby-red enamel. In the center of the star, a sickle and a hammer are silvered. The name of the award is engraved under the star in two lines. The letters are covered with the same enamel as the star. In the lower semicircle - a relief inscription "USSR".

The words "Labor in the USSR - a matter of honor" are engraved on the reverse side of the coin. It is attached to a pentagonal shoe-lined silk moiré band. The award is worn on the left. If there are other awards in the arsenal, it is placed in a row after the Nakhimov medal.

First awards

In asserting the medal "For Labor Valor," the USSR thereby brought the working class to the forefront of socialist construction, which, in fact, strengthened its position among the people. "Junior" in status was the medal "For Labor Distinction." Both medals became prototypes of combat analogues - medals "For Courage" and "For Military Merit".

The draft of the medal was developed by the artist Ivan Dubasov. The first award was held in January 1939. The first medal "For Labor Valor" was received immediately by 22 people - workers of the Moscow plant named after Mikhail Kalinin. Plant workers were awarded a high award for the invention of new weapons.

Literally two days later, a new decree about the awarding was issued. For the progressive development and development of the method of underground gasification of coal, 14 people of the Podzemgaz office in the Donbass were noted. Rural workers of Uzbekistan in the number of 87 people were awarded three days later. A few days later, their heroes found the award in Magadan, where 81 people distinguished the road and industrial enterprise Dalstroy.

Before the Great Patriotic War, eight thousand people were awarded in the industrial and agricultural sphere. At the beginning of 1995, the number of awardees was already more than 1.82 million people.

Award in the Present

Obviously, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the insignia and awards of the Soviet state lost their force. To issue them, of course, also stopped. The notion of rewarding for labor achievements is a thing of the past, leaving only reminders.

However, after a while they decided to return the medal. In 2000, a similar medal was established by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Medal "For Labor Valor" of the Defense Ministry is intended to reward civilians working in the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Among the merits worthy of this mark of distinction, conscientious and long work, professional achievements in the field of scientific and industrial developments, as well as in the field of personnel training.

A special order of the military department is issued about the submission of the applicant for the award. The medal is presented personally by the Minister of Defense of the country. As before, it is located on the chest on the left side, after all the state decorations, if any.

Appearance of the new medal

Medal "For Labor Valor" of the Ministry of Defense of Russia is slightly smaller than its Soviet predecessor and in diameter is 3.2 centimeters. It is made of dark bronze. In the center on the obverse, the standard of the Ministry of Defense framed by an oak wreath is boldly depicted. The relief inscriptions - in two lines in the center of the title of the award, on top of the "Ministry of Defense" and on the bottom of the "Russian Federation" - are on the reverse side.

In 2014, the decree of the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu was amended in the provision on awarding a medal. In particular, the list of persons who can claim this distinction was significantly expanded. For example, the Russian medal "For Labor Valor" can also be received by experts in the field of culture, education, art and health. In addition, workers in industry and research and development, who carry out orders directly from the military department, can also be awarded a medal.

Privilege

Despite the fact that one of the first awards was the medal "For Labor Valor", its benefits do not apply, at least expressed in monetary terms. The only thing that her knight can count on is the right to be awarded the title of "Veteran of Labor", and also the priority in obtaining the anniversary insignia to the round date from the day of the end of the Great Patriotic War.

If there is a medal "For Labor Valor" in the arsenal, benefits in the form of cash payments or compensations can still be received. To do this, you must apply for recognition as a veteran of labor. Women can qualify for the award of a rank at the age of 55 years, men - 60 years.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense Medal, received by a civilian, already gives more privileges. Cavalier of the medal "For Labor Valor" will reach 75% of the salary after reaching the retirement age.