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.[1][2]

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

Contents

Titles

Hero of the German Democratic Republic

"Hero of the German Democratic Republic" (German: 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: 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/Medal Name (English/German) Date of
creation
Description

Karl Marx Order
Karl Marx Orden

1953-05-05

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

1956-06-01

Patriotic Order of Merit
Vaterländischer Verdienstorden

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

Scharnhorst Order
Scharnhorst-Orden

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

Banner of Labour
Banner der Arbeit

1954-08-04

National Prize of East Germany
Nationalpreis der DDR

1949

Star of People's Friendship
Stern der Völkerfreundschaft

1959-08-20

Hans Beimler Medal
Hans Beimler Medaille

1956-05-17

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

1956-06-01

Blücher Order
Blücher Orden

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

References

External links