USSR – The Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”

Description

(Russian: Медаль «За оборону Сталинграда») was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union.

The Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was established on December 22, 1942 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.  The medal’s statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

The Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was awarded to all participants in the defense of Stalingrad—soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defense of Stalingrad during its siege by Axis forces.

Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of Stalingrad issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal or district military commissioner in the recipient’s community, members of the civilian population, participants in the defense of Stalingrad received their medal from regional or city Councils of People’s Deputies.

The Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad” was worn on the left side of the chest and in the presence of other awards of the USSR, was located immediately after the Medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol”. If worn in the presence of Orders or medals of the Russian Federation, the latter have precedence.

This medal is in nice condition with medium wear on its front and reverse. Most details  are still present. The medal has several dings and small scratches on both sides but nothing distracting from its overall appeal. The medal shows lots of character and probably worn intensively during battle and would make a great display in the  Soviet WW2 collection. Comes with its time period suspension and old ribbon