Medal for Battle Merit

The USSR Medal for Battle Merit (Медаль "За боевые заслуги") was a Soviet military medal awarded for "combat action resulting in a military success", "courageous defense of the state borders", or "successful military and political training and preparation".

It was created on October 17, 1938 by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Like the Medal "For Courage", its status was revised to prevent the medal from being given for years of service (a practice that was rampant in USSR) rather than actual bravery during a battle. More than 5,210,000 medals were awarded between 1938 and 1991.