Chest Medals

in the USSR, an award for citizens whose work contributes to increasing the economic and defensive might of the state. Chest medals are instituted by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Statute on the Corresponding Chest Medals lists the achievements for which these medals are to be awarded. Chest medals are awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers of the USSR or, in accordance with the Statute on Chest Medals, a directive by the appropriate ministry or agency.

Chest medals of the laureates of the Lenin Prize and the State Prize of the USSR are awarded to persons who have received these prizes.

Workers, employees, and kolkhozniks on whom the title of Shock Worker of Communist Labor is conferred receive the standard chest medal Shock Worker of Communist Labor (Decree of the Presidium of the Central Council of Trade Unions of Sept. 23, 1966;The Union Worker’s Guide, Moscow, 1969).

There are several chest medals in Union republics. Thus, the RSFSR has the medals Honored Miner and Distinguished Public Order Squad Member and medals awarded to persons upon the conferral of the titles Honored Inventor of the Republic and Honored Innovator of the Republic. Chest medals should be distinguished from lapel pins.