Order of Courage

For similarly named order in Iran, see Order of Courage (Iran).
Order of Courage

Order of Courage (obverse)
Awarded by  Russian Federation
Type Single grade order
Eligibility Russian citizens and foreign nationals
Awarded for Selfless courage and valour
Status Active
Statistics
Established March 2, 1994
First awarded January 6, 1995
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of Nakhimov
Next (lower) Order For Military Merit

Ribbon of the Order of Courage
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. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)
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. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to EMERCOM mine rescue detachment commander Valery Zelyakov on May 3, 2012. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)

The Order of Courage (Russian: Орден Мужества) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation first established on March 2, 1994 by Presidential Decree 442[1] to recognise selfless acts of courage and valour. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999 by Presidential Decree 19,[2] again on September 7, 2010 by Presidential Decree 1099,[3] and finally on December 16, 2011 by Presidential Decree 1631.[4] The Order of Courage nominally replaced the Soviet Order "For Personal Courage" in the post-USSR Russian awards system.

Award statute

The Order of Courage is awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation who showed dedication, courage and bravery in protecting public order, fighting crime, in rescuing people during natural disasters, fires, accidents and other emergencies, as well as for bold and decisive actions committed during the performance of military or civil duties under conditions involving a risk to life.[1]

The Order of Courage may be awarded posthumously and may be awarded multiple times to the same recipient.[1]

Individuals already awarded three Orders of Courage may be awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for a fourth selfless act of courage.[4]

It may also be awarded to foreign nationals who showed dedication, courage and bravery in the rescue of Russian citizens during natural disasters, fires, accidents and other emergencies outside of the Russian Federation.[2]

The Order of Courage is worn on the left side of the chest and when in the presence of other medals and Orders of the Russian Federation, is located immediately after the Order of Nakhimov.[4]

Award description

The Order of Courage is a vaulted 40 mm wide silver cross pattée with rounded ends. The outer rim of both the obverse and reverse are embossed. At the center of the obverse is the state emblem of the Russian Federation. On the obverse, embossed rays extend outwards from the center to the outer rim in each of the cross's four arms. In the center of the reverse, the relief inscription in stylized Russian Cyrillic «МУЖЕСТВО» ("COURAGE"). On the reverse of the lower cross arm, an "N" in relief and a horizontal line reserved for the award serial number, under the line, a maker's mark.[3]

The badge of the Order of Courage hangs from a standard Russian pentagonal mount with a ring through its suspension loop. The mount is covered by an overlapping 24 mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with 2 mm white edge stripes.[3]

Recipients (partial list)

The individuals listed below were recipients of the Order of Courage:[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Decree 442 of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  2. 1 2 "Decree 19 of the President of the Russian Federation of January 16, 1999" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  3. 1 2 3 "Decree 1099 of the President of the Russian Federation of September 7, 2010" (in Russian). Russian Gazette. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  4. 1 2 3 "Decree 1631 of the President of the Russian Federation of December 16, 2011" (in Russian). Site of the President of the Russian Federation. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  5. ↑ "Recipients of the Order of Courage from the site of the President of the Russian Federation" (in Russian). Presidential Press and Information Office of the Russian Federation. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
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