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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.[1][2]

After German reunification, wearing of East German awards was forbidden[citation needed].

Titles[]

Hero of the German Democratic Republic[]

"Hero of the German Democratic Republic" (German language: 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:

Hero of Labour[]

The Hero of Labour (German language: 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.

Order and Medals[]

Order[]

Order Ribbon
bar
Name (English/German) Date of
creation
Description
Held der DDR

File:OrdenMarksa.png

Karl Marx Order
Karl Marx Orden

1953-05-05
Vaterlaendischer Verdienstorden

Ehrenspange

Złoty Order Za Zasługi dla Narodu i Ojczyzny

Ribbon bars of the Fatherland's Orde of Merit

Ribbon bars of the Fatherland's Orde of Merit Brons

Patriotic Order of Merit
Vaterländischer Verdienstorden

1954-05-21 Awarded for special services to the state and to society

Banner of Labour
Banner der Arbeit

1954-08-04

National Prize of East Germany
Nationalpreis der DDR

1949
GDR Star of Friendship of Nations - Grand Star (formal ribbon) BAR
De grote gouden ster van de Orde van de Volkerenvriendschap 2

Star of People's Friendship
Stern der Völkerfreundschaft

1959-08-20
Bartel0016gsb
GDR Blucher Order for Gallantry - Gold BAR
GDR Blucher Order for Gallantry - Silver BAR
GDR Blucher Order for Gallantry - Bronze BAR

Blücher Order
Blücher Orden

1965-10-13 Award for valor in time of war; never awarded.

Military decorations[]

Medal Ribbon
bar
Name (English/German) Date of
creation
Description

Hans Beimler Medal
(Hans Beimler Medaille)

1956-05-17
GDR Order of Scharnhorst BAR

Scharnhorst Order
Scharnhorst-Orden

1966-02-17 Contributed in a major way to the betterment of the DDR Principles of Ideology

GDR Combat-Order for Merit for the Nation and Fatherland - Gold BAR

GDR Combat-Order for Merit for the Nation and Fatherland - Silver BAR

GDR Combat-Order for Merit for the Nation and Fatherland - Bronze BAR

Combat order "Of Merit for the Nation and Fatherland"

February 17, 1966 The medal was granted in three classes:
  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold



Meritorious Military Pilot of the GDR

(Verdienter Militärflieger der DDR)

August 1, 1974

File:Med Merit NPA mr-B.pdf

GDR Verdienstmedaille NVA 3 BAR

GDR Verdienstmedaille NVA 2 BAR

GDR Verdienstmedaille NVA 1 BAR

Medal of Merit of the National People's Army
(Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee)

1956-06-01 The medal was granted in three classes:
  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold

GDR Brotherhood in Arms Medal - Bronze BAR

GDR Brotherhood in Arms Medal - Silver BAR

GDR Brotherhood in Arms Medal - Gold BAR

Medal Brotherhood in Arms
{Medaille der Waffenbrüderschaft)

1966-02-17 The medal was granted in three classes:
  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold

File:Med Faithfol Serv NPA rb-B.pdf

File:Med Faithfol Serv NPA rb-S.pdf

File:Med Faithfol Serv NPA rb-G.pdf

File:Med Faithfol Serv NPA rb-20y.pdf

Medal For Faithful Service in the National People’s Army
(Medaille für treue Dienste in der Nationalen Volksarmee)

1956-06-01
  • 5 years service (bronze)
  • 10 years service (silver)
  • 15 years service (gold)
  • 20 years service (gold) with colored flags on the medal and roman numerals XX on the ribbon

GDR Medal for Exemplary Border Service BAR

Medal for Exemplary Border Service
(Medaille für vorbildlichen Grenzdienst der Grenztruppen der DDR)

1953

References[]

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany and the edit history here.
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