Order of the Red Banner of Labour
The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union established to honour great deeds and services to the Soviet state and society in the fields of production, science, culture, literature, the arts, education, sports, health, social and other spheres of labour activities. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order. The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was the third-highest civil award in the Soviet Union, after the Order of Lenin and the Order of the October Revolution.
Order of the Red Banner of Labour (obverse), type 2 post 1943
Reverse of a post 1943 type 2 Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Order of the Red Banner of Labour depicted on a 1951 stamp
Olympic gold medalist figure skater Irina Rodnina, twice recipient of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour
The Order of the Red Banner was the first Soviet military decoration. The Order was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. It was the highest award of Soviet Russia, subsequently the Soviet Union, until the Order of Lenin was established in 1930. Recipients were recognised for extraordinary heroism, dedication, and courage demonstrated on the battlefield. The Order was awarded to individuals as well as to military units, cities, ships, political and social organizations, and state enterprises. In later years, it was also awarded on the twentieth and again on the thirtieth anniversary of military, police, or state security service without requiring participation in combat.
The Order of the Red Banner
First variant Russian Order of the Red Banner on red cloth from 1918 to 1924
Marshal of the Soviet Union Vasily Blyukher wearing four first variant Orders of the Red Banner
1933 stamp marking the 15th anniversary of the Order of the Red Banner