Order of Courage (Russia)
The Order of Courage is a state decoration of the Russian Federation first established on March 2, 1994, by Presidential Decree 442 to recognise selfless acts of courage and valour. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999, by Presidential Decree 19, again on September 7, 2010, by Presidential Decree 1099, and finally on December 16, 2011, by Presidential Decree 1631. The Order of Courage nominally replaced the Soviet Order "For Personal Courage" in the post-USSR Russian awards system.
Order of Courage (obverse)
Lt. Col. Lebed, Hero of Russia, Knight of the Order of St. George 4th class and 3 time recipient of the Order of Courage, greeting Russian President Medvedev on April 4, 2011
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to Naval Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kistanov on July 4, 2010, for his actions during the retaking of the Russian tanker MV Moscow University from Somali pirates
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to EMERCOM mine rescue detachment commander Valery Zelyakov on May 3, 2012
Hero of the Russian Federation
Hero of the Russian Federation, also unofficially called Hero of Russia, is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation. The title has a Gold Star medal, an insignia of honour that identifies recipients.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, World War II veteran and designer of Kalashnikov assault rifles, wears the Gold Star of Hero of the Russian Federation and two Stars of Hero of Socialist Labour
Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev in 1992 became the first recipient of the title for outstanding service at the Mir space station
Guards Lieutenant Colonel Anatoly Lebed, awarded in 2005 "for courage and heroism in the performance of military duties in the North Caucasus".
Arktika 2007 expedition member Yevgeny Chernyaev
