Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany
Following the 1949 establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) the new state prohibited the wearing of all pre-1945 German decorations and created a new system of awards inspired in part by those of the USSR.[1][2]
After German reunification in 1990, the wearing of East German decorations was not forbidden with the exception of those considered to be in breach of public order such as decorations of the Ministry for State Security, Border troops, Volkspolizei, Combat Groups, and Free German Youth (FDJ).[3]
Honorary Titles
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Held der DDR |
1975-10-28 | Awarded for heroic feats in service to the East German state and society. | ||
Held der Arbeit |
1950-04-19 | |||
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1969-12-16 | Awarded for outstanding contributions to the protection of the state from foreign intelligence services | ||
|
1974-08-01 | |||
(Verdienter Volkspolizist ) |
1966-06-15 | The medal was awarded in a single class for special achievements and personal dedication in the protection of the GDR. Also, for exemplary initiative that have contributed to increasing public safety and order. | ||
(Ehrenzeichen der Deutschen Volkspolizei) |
1976-02-20 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and merit leadding to an increase in combat readiness and effectiveness. | ||
(Verdienter Angehöriger der Grenztruppen) |
1975-11-14 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and merit leadding. | ||
(Verdienter Angehöriger der Zivilverteidigung) |
1977-10-25 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and special merit over many years of exemplary duty fulfillment of duties in increasing operational readiness. | ||
(Verdienter Aktivist) |
1953-11-01 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding improvements in production, in technology or in occupational safety. | ||
(Verdienter Arzt des Volkes) |
1949-03-31 | The medal was awarded for significant and outstanding achievements in scientific research, in medical practice, in the organization of health protection, in teaching at universities and in medical colleges and in the training of the medical cadre. |
State Prizes
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nationalpreis der DDR |
1949 | Awarded for scientific, artistic, and other meritorious achievement. | ||
Heinrich-Greif-Preis |
1951 | Awarded for contribution to the state cinema and television industry. | ||
Lessing-Preis |
1954 | Awarded for outstanding work in the field of the stage and the arts. | ||
Preis für künstlerisches Volksschaffen |
1955 | Awarded for outstanding new creations or artistic interpretations. | ||
Heinrich-Heine-Preis |
1956 | Awarded for outstanding lyrical works and works of literary journalism. | ||
Carl-Blechen-Preis |
1956 | Awarded for the Arts, Literature and Artistic Folk Creations. | ||
Johannes-R.-Becher-Medaille |
1961 | Awarded for the development of national socialist culture. | ||
Kunstpreis der DDR |
1959 | Awarded for outstanding creative and interpretive achievements in visual arts, applied arts, cinema, television, radio and entertainment. | ||
Rudolf-Virchow-Preis |
1960 | Awarded for special achievements in the field of medical literature, medical technology and medical production. | ||
GutsMuths-Preis |
1961 | Awarded for scientific achievements in the field of sports science and sports medicine. | ||
|
Friedrich-Engels-Preis |
1970 | Awarded in 3 classes for outstanding scientific and organizational achievements to strengthen national defense. | |
Theodor-Körner-Preis |
1970 | Awarded for outstanding achievements in the creation or interpretation of works of art that contribute to strengthening the defense forces of the GDR. | ||
Architekturpreis des DDR |
1976 | Awarded for achievements in the field of architecture. | ||
Designpreis der DDR |
1978 | Awarded for significant contribution in increasing economic productivity. | ||
Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Preis |
1978 | Awarded for the promotion of the German language and German studies abroad. |
State Orders
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Karl Marx Orden |
1953-05-05 | Awarded for exceptional merit in relation to ideology, culture, economy, and other designations. Additionally, citizens of other countries could also be awarded the order. | ||
|
Vaterländischer Verdienstorden |
1954-05-21 | Awarded for special services to the state and to society | |
|
Banner der Arbeit |
1954-08-04 | Awarded for outstanding achievements over many years which stabilised and strengthened the country, and in particular for high results in work in the national economy. | |
Stern der Völkerfreundschaft |
1959-08-20 | Awarded for exceptional merit in contributing to the "understanding and friendship between nations and preservation of peace". | ||
Blücher Orden |
1965-10-13 | Awarded for valour in time of war (never awarded). | ||
Scharnhorst-Orden |
1966-02-17 | Awarded for major contributions to the improvement principles of ideology of the GDR | ||
|
Kampforden Für Verdienste um Volk und Vaterland |
1966-02-17 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
|
State Medals
Military and para-military decorations
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Ehrenzeichen der Deutschen Volkspolizei) |
1949-06-01 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements, for personal bravery and selfless dedication. | ||
(Medaille für Verdienste im Brandschutz) |
1968-08-24 | The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements as well as personal bravery and selfless dedication in the fulfillment of fire protection duties in the safeguarding of the national economy as well as the life, health and protection of the personal property of the citizens of the GDR. | ||
(Verdienstmedaille der Grenztruppen der DDR) |
1977-10-25 | The medal was awarded for outstanding achievements and personal dedication in maintaining the security of the borders of the GDR. | ||
(Medaille für vorbildlichen Grenzdienst der Grenztruppen der DDR) |
1954-05-28 | The medal was awarded in a single class for exemplary performance and personal commitment in securing the state border of the GDR | ||
(Medaille für ausgezeichnete Leistungen in den bewaffneten Organen des Ministeriums des Innern ) |
1959-06-04 | The medal was awarded in a single class for excellent performance of tasks, in particular in the strengthening and consolidation of the GDR. | ||
(Medaille für ausgezeichnete Leistungen in den Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse ) |
1965-10-06 | The medal was awarded in a single class for special merit in the deployment, development and consolidation of combat groups, for excellent performance in leadership and training, for the care and maintenance of equipment and armament. | ||
|
|
(Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee) |
1956-06-01 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
|
|
(Verdienstmedaille der Organe des Ministeriums des Innern) |
1966-06-15 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
| |
|
(Verdienstmedaille der Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse) |
1961-09-25 | The medal was awarded in three classes for faithful fulfillment of duties and recognition of exemplary achievements in the ranks of the combat groups of the GDR:
| |
|
(Medaille der Waffenbrüderschaft) |
1966-02-17 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
| |
(Medaille für treue Dienste in der Kasernierten Volkspolizei) |
1954-04-28 | The medal was awarded in a single class for 5 years of honest, conscientious and faithful service in the armed organs of the GDR. It was replaced by the Medal For Faithful Service in the National People’s Army in 1956. | ||
|
(Medaille für treue Dienste in der Nationalen Volksarmee) |
1956-06-01 | The medal was awarded in four classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste in der Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse) |
1965-10-06 | The medal was awarded in four classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste in der bewaffneten Organen des Ministeriums des Innern) |
1959-01-22 | The medal was awarded in six classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für treue Dienste in der Zivilverteidigung der DDR) |
1977-10-25 | The medal was awarded to personnel of the Civil Defense in four classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für treue Pflichterfüllung in der Zivilverteidigung der DDR) |
1977-10-25 | The medal was awarded in three classes to volunteers:
|
Civilian decorations
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Verdienstmedaille der DDR) |
1959-06-04 | Awarded for distinction through special achievements and faithful fulfillment of duties in the construction of socialism. | ||
(Hans Beimler Medaille) |
1956-05-17 | Awarded for fighting in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Republicans. | ||
(Medaille für Kämpfer gegen den Faschismus) |
1958-02-22 | Awarded for involvement in the resistance against the Nazi regime 1933-45. | ||
(Lebensrettungsmedaille der DDR) |
1954-05-28 | Awarded for the salvation of people while in mortal danger to the rescuer. | ||
(Medaille für selbstlosen Einsatz bei der Bekämpfung von Katastrophen) |
1957-08-15 | Awarded for selfless dedication, exemplary assistance and personal sacrifice, as well as other outstanding services in preventing or combating disasters and eliminating their aftermath. | ||
(Erinnerungsmedaille 20. Jahrestag der Bodenreform – demokratische Bodenreform) |
1965-07-27 | Awarded for a special contribution to the implementation of land reform, the founding of agricultural cooperatives or to the socialist transformation of agriculture. | ||
|
(Ehrenmedaille zum 40. Jahrestag der GDR) |
1988-10-14 | Awarded for outstanding achievements in the emergence and overall strengthening of the GDR and for the active participation in the design of the socialist society. | |
|
(Pestalozzi-Medaille für treue Dienste) |
1956-11-15 | The medal was awarded in three classes to teachers and educators of vacational and educational institutions of the GDR.
| |
|
(Dr. Theodor Neubauer Medaille) |
1959-08-20 | The medal was awarded in three classes both to individuals and collectives for extraordinary contributions and achievements in the development of socialist education in the GDR:
| |
|
(Verdienstmedaille der Deutschen Reichsbahn) |
1956-10-18 | The medal was awarded in three classes for selfless service, for high achievements or for courage:
| |
|
(Medaille für Verdienste in der Volkskontrolle der DDR) |
1973-02-12 | The medal was awarded in three classes for many years of exemplary work in the People's Control of the GDR and for excellent results in the control of the implementation of the resolutions of the SED and the government of the GDR:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste freiwilliger Helfer beim Schutz der Staatsgrenze der DDR) |
1986-12-05 | The medal was awarded in six classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste bei der Deutschen Reichsbahn) |
1956-03-18 | The medal was originally awarded in three classes increased to five in 1973:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste im Gesundheits und Sozialwesens) |
1973-11-15 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
| |
|
(Treuedienstmedaille der Deutschen Post) |
1960-10-13 | The medal was awarded in five classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste in der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr) |
1959-01-22 | The medal was awarded in four classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für Treue Dienste in der Seeverkehrswirtschaft) |
1965-07-01 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
| |
|
(Medaille für langjährige Pflichterfüllung zur Stärkung der Landesverteidigung der DDR) |
1974-08-08 | The medal was awarded in four classes to employees of the Defense Industry:
| |
|
(Humboldt-Medaille) |
1975-02-13 | The medal was awarded in three classes for exemplary fulfillment of tasks at higher and technical colleges, also for many years of loyal service.
|
Ministerial and associative awards
Ministry of National Defense
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Reservistenabzeichen) |
1969 | The medal was awarded in three classes:
| ||
(Jubiläumsmedaille 30 Jahre Nationale Volksarmee) |
1986-03-01 | The medal was awarded to a select group of people from the NVA, others receiving a related badge. |
Ministry of Education
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Lessing Medaille) |
1950-04-28 | Awarded in 2 classes for excellent performance and very good social and extra-curricular work in senior high school.
|
Combat Groups of the Working Class of the GDR
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse) |
September 1973 | The medal was awarded in a single class to deserving members of the combat groups of the working class. |
Society for Sports and Technology
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Ernst-Schneller-Medaille) |
1961 | The medal was awarded in three classes for outstanding services in the education of youth in defense readiness:
|
Free German Youth Society
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Artur-Becker-Medaille) |
1959 | The medal was awarded in three classes for outstanding achievements in the socialist youth association:
| |
|
(Thälmann-Medaille) |
1951-08-15 | The medal was awarded to all participants of the peace demonstration of the Free German Youth. |
Socialist Party
Award | Ribbon bar |
Name (English/German) | Date of creation |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Medaille zum 20. Jahrestag der DDR) |
1969 | The medal was awarded in a single class to members of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and to honoured dignitaries. |
See also
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References
- Medals of East Germany
- East German Medals
- Bernzen, Enno; Feder, Klaus H.: Das Tragen von Auszeichnungen der DDR im vereinten Deutschland. In: Deutsch-deutsche Rechts-Zeitschrift (DtZ) 1995
External links
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