Hero of the Soviet Union

Hero of the Soviet Union
Gold star medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union
TypeHighest degree of distinction
Awarded forHeroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society
Presented by Soviet Union
EligibilitySoviet and foreign citizens
StatusNo longer awarded
Established16 April 1934
First awarded20 April 1934
Last awarded24 December 1991
Total12,777
Precedence
Next (lower)Hero of Socialist Labour
RelatedHero of the Russian Federation

The title Hero of the Soviet Union (Russian: Герой Советского Союза, romanizedGeroy Sovietskogo Soyuza) was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded together with the Order of Lenin personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.[1] The title was awarded both to civilian and military persons.

  1. ^ Prokhorov, Aleksandr Mikhaĭlovich (1982). Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Volume 6. New York: Macmillan. p. 594. OCLC 810278.