Hero of the Soviet Union

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Hero of the Soviet Union (Геро́й Сове́тского Сою́за) was the highest honorary title and the superior degree of distinction of the former USSR. It included the Order of Lenin (the highest Soviet award) and, as the sign of excellence, the Gold Star medal with the certificate of the heroic deed (gramota) from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (highest executive body of the land). The award was established on April 16, 1934. In keeping with Communist policy of sex equality, both men and women were eligible to receive the title.

The total number of persons who were awarded this title is over 12,500. The great majority of them received it during the Great Patriotic War. A famous war hero was for instance Alexander Matrosov who received the distinction posthumously after he died blocking an enemy machine-gun with his own body.

The first recipients were the pilots Liapidevsky, Levanevsky, V.S. Molotov, M.T. Slepnev, and Vodopianov who participated in the successful aerial search and rescue of the crew of the steamship Cheliuskin, which sunk in Arctic waters, crushed by ice fields, on February 13, 1934.

There were over a hundred twice Heroes of the USSR, among them two famous Soviet fighter pilots, Pokryshkin and Kozhedub. The only man to receive the title four times was Marshal Zhukov.

Apart from individuals, the title was also awarded to twelve cities (Hero City) as well as the fortress of Brest (Hero-Fortress) for collective heroism during the War.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this title was succeeded in Russia by the title Hero of Russia.