Lt. Col. Lebed, Hero of Russia, Knight of the Order of St. George 4th class and 3 time recipient of the Order of Courage, greeting Russian President Medvedev on April 4, 2011Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to Naval Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kistanov on July 4, 2010, for his actions during the retaking of the Russian tanker MV Moscow University from Somali piratesRussian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to EMERCOM mine rescue detachment commander Valery Zelyakov on May 3, 2012
The Order of Courage (Russian: Орден Мужества, Orden Muzhestva) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation first established on March 2, 1994, by Presidential Decree 442[1] to recognise selfless acts of courage and valour. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999, by Presidential Decree 19,[2] again on September 7, 2010, by Presidential Decree 1099,[3] and finally on December 16, 2011, by Presidential Decree 1631.[4] The Order of Courage nominally replaced the SovietOrder "For Personal Courage" in the post-USSR Russian awards system.
Award statute
The Order of Courage is awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation who showed dedication, courage and bravery in protecting public order, fighting crime, in rescuing people during natural disasters, fires, accidents and other emergencies, as well as for bold and decisive actions committed during the performance of military or civil duties under conditions involving a risk to life.[1]
The Order of Courage may be awarded posthumously and may be awarded multiple times to the same recipient.[1]
Individuals already awarded three Orders of Courage may be awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for a fourth selfless act of courage.[4]
It may also be awarded to foreign nationals who showed dedication, courage and bravery in the rescue of Russian citizens during natural disasters, fires, accidents and other emergencies outside of the Russian Federation.[2]
The Order of Courage is worn on the left side of the chest and when in the presence of other medals and Orders of the Russian Federation, is located immediately after the Order of Nakhimov.[4]
Award description
The Order of Courage is a vaulted 40 mm wide silver cross pattée with rounded ends. The outer rim of both the obverse and reverse are embossed. At the center of the obverse is the state emblem of the Russian Federation. On the obverse, embossed rays extend outwards from the center to the outer rim in each of the cross's four arms. In the center of the reverse, the relief inscription in stylized Russian Cyrillic «МУЖЕСТВО» ("COURAGE"). On the reverse of the lower cross arm, an "N" in relief and a horizontal line reserved for the award serial number, under the line, a maker's mark.[3]
The badge of the Order of Courage hangs from a standard Russian pentagonal mount with a ring through its suspension loop. The mount is covered by an overlapping 24 mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with 2 mm white edge stripes.[3]
Recipients (partial list)
The individuals listed below were recipients of the Order of Courage:[5]
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Russian Federation
