The Order of Victory

The Order of Victory was the highest military decoration awarded for World War II service in the Soviet Union, and one of the rarest orders in the world. The order was awarded only to Generals and Marshals for successfully conducting combat operations involving one or more army groups resulting in a radical change of the situation in favor of the Red Army. In its history, it has been awarded twenty times to twelve Soviet leaders and foreign leaders. The original name of the order was proposed as Order for Faithfulness to the Homeland, however, it was given its present name.

On the 25th of October 1943, artist A. I. Kuznetsov, who was already the designer of many Soviet orders, presented his first sketch to Stalin. The sketch of a round medallion with portraits of Lenin and Stalin was not approved by the Supreme Commander. Instead, Stalin wanted a design with the Spasskaya Tower in the centre. Kuznetsov returned four days later with several new sketches, of which Stalin chose one entitled "Victory". The order was officially adopted on the 8th of November 1943, and was first awarded to Georgy Zhukov, Alexandr Vasilevsky, and Joseph Stalin.

The order was also bestowed to top commanders of the Allied forces. British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery was awarded The Order of Victory.

The Order is made out of platinum in the form of a pentangular star with rays between the arms, measuring 72 mm in diameter. The star is studded with 174 diamonds weighing a total of 16 carats (3.2 g), while the arms of the star are made out of synthetic rubies. In the center of the star is a silver medallion, with the Moscow Kremlin wall, the Spasskaya Tower. The sky in the background is inlaid with blue enamel.

Against the sky, the letters "СССР" (USSR) appear in gold centered on the top of the medallion, while the word "Победа" (Victory) is displayed on the red banner at the bottom.

· GRAMMAR FOCUS

Continuous/Progressive