Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany

After the establishment of the German Democratic Republic the new country prohibited the wearing of all pre-1945 German awards and created a new system of various decorations that was inspired by those of the USSR.

After German reunification, wearing of East German awards was forbidden.

Hero of the German Democratic Republic
"Hero of the German Democratic Republic" (Held der DDR), the highest honorary title in East Germany, originated on 28 October 1975 and rewarded both soldiers and civilians. Those who received the title enjoyed many benefits, such as free public transport. A yearly ratio was intended that limited up to 10 title assignments. It was awarded for "extraordinary achievements and earnings/services the hero acts for the GDR, for their development and all-round stabilization, for which international acknowledgement and authority achieved as well as for its safe military protection".

Those who became Held der DDR also automatically qualified for the Karl Marx Order. The decoration was supposed to be returned to the state upon the recipient's death. In all 9 awards to 7 people were made:


 * Heinz Hoffmann - 28 November 1975 & 28 November 1980.
 * Friedrich Dickel - 1 December 1975.
 * Erich Mielke - 1 December 1975 & 28 December 1983.
 * Leonid Brezhnev - 13 December 1976.
 * Sigmund Jähn - 21 September 1978.
 * Valery Bykovsky - 21 September 1978.
 * Willi Stoph - 9 July 1984.
 * Erich Honecker - 25 August 1987

Hero of Labour
The Hero of Labour (Held der Arbeit) was awarded for "particularly outstanding, innovative activity, in particular in the fields of industry and agriculture, which traffic or the trade rendered or by scientific discoveries or technical inventions special services around the structure and the victory of socialism and by this activity the national economy and thus growth and the reputation of the German Democratic Republic promoted". In addition, the recipient would get receive a 10,000 East German Mark award.