How many heroes whose names have sunk into eternity, the Russian land gave birth! One of them is the Don Cossack Konstantin Iosifovich Nedorubov, a full Knight of St. George, who received a saber with a dedicatory inscription from Budyonny himself. This brave man was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union long before the end of the Great Patriotic War. His Golden Star flaunted on his chest near the royal crosses...

On the Rubezhny farm

Konstantin Nedorubov was born in the late spring of 1889 on the Rubezhny farm of the Berezovskaya village (today it is a village in the Volgograd region), which was then indicative. More than two and a half thousand people lived there and there were four hundred households. There were two factories here - brick and leather. There was a parochial school, several medical stations, a savings bank, a telegraph office and a justice of the peace.

Kostya studied at a local school, learning to read and write, count and the Law of God. But he gave preference to simple Cossack science - horseback riding and the ability to wield weapons, which was known as a tradition in Cossack villages. Later it turned out that these skills in the future he needed more than theology.

Full cavalier

In January 1911, Nedorubov was called to serve in the cavalry regiment of the First Don Cossack Division, which was stationed in the village of Tomashov, Lublin province. At the origins of the First World War, Konstantin had the rank of officer and led the formation of regimental scouts. Then he was awarded the first St. George's Cross, breaking into the location of the Germans with a personal platoon and capturing them along with full ammunition.

The second "George" he received in 1915, alone went to reconnaissance near Przemysl. It was there that the constable went to the farm, where he found himself next to the sleeping Austrians. The desperate warrior, without waiting for help, threw a grenade into the yard and began to shoot, shouting the only German phrase familiar to him, "hande hoch." The sleepy enemy was sure that he was surrounded. So one Russian hero, thanks to his resourcefulness, captured an officer and 52 soldiers of the enemy army and brought them to his regiment.

Nedorubov was awarded the third cross in 1916 after the famous Brusilov breakthrough, having shown courage and bravery in battles.

And Konstantin Nedorubov received the gold "George" 1st degree when, together with his comrades, he broke into the headquarters of an enemy division, captured a German general and captured important documents. He completed World War I with the rank of cadet, becoming not only a full Knight of St. George, but also earning two more awards for courage.

Combat Commander

The civil war for many was not only a difficult test, but also completely changed the worldview. This did not pass and Nedorubov. Until the summer of 1918, he did not join either the Reds or the Whites. However, he soon joined the regiment of Ataman Krasnov. Literally a month later, Konstantin was captured. They did not shoot him - the Bolsheviks did not scatter such experienced military personnel, but tried to convince him. Then Nedorubov made a decision that determined his entire future fate. He "changed color" and became the squadron leader of the cavalry division.

The division of Mikhail Blinov, who now had a former White Guard under his command, heroically proved itself in the most hot spots of the front. For participation in the defense of Tsaritsyn, which went down in history, Budyonny personally awarded Nedorubov with a nominal sword. For showing heroism in battles with Wrangel, the Cossack was awarded red revolutionary riding breeches. He was also presented to the Order of the Red Banner, but he did not have to add it to other awards: the award order was canceled due to his past service in the tsarist army.

The Civil War left in the memory of the hero not only the death of his comrades, blood and deprivation, but also a bullet lodged in his lung, which he carried until the end of his life.

In the camps

Returning victorious from the second war, Nedorubov began, as they said then, to raise agriculture. He was appointed collective farm foreman, but Konstantin did not have to lead for long. He was accused of abuse of office for allowing the collective farmers to take the grain left after sowing for food. They also undeservedly attributed the theft of inventory. He was sentenced to 10 years and sent to build the Moscow-Volga canal.

And here, in Dmitrovlage, the Cossack distinguished himself - he worked with enthusiasm and very conscientiously. The construction was commissioned ahead of schedule, and Nikolai Yezhov personally accepted the results. Nedorubov was amnestied and released after three years in prison.

Spellbound

Konstantin Iosifovich was already in his sixth decade when the Great Patriotic War began. Not only was he not subject to conscription because of his years, his candidacy was rejected for a criminal record and service in the tsarist army. Then he turned to the secretary of the district committee, who, under his own responsibility, helped Nedorubov go to the front.

For the courage shown during the capture of the village of Kushchevskaya in October 1943, the brave Cossack was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In this battle, the son of Nedorubov, Nikolai, received more than a dozen wounds and remained lying on the battlefield, covered with earth, next to the dead. Three days later, the villagers accidentally discovered him, hid him in the cellar and went out. But then the father did not know about it yet. He continued to drive the enemy from his native land.

Konstantin Iosifovich fought in Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. He was repeatedly wounded and in 1944 was commissioned.

Having gone through so many wars, this amazing will man remained alive - it was not for nothing that his fellow soldiers called him "spellbound". Moreover, he did not forget how to enjoy life and forgive injustice. It is on such people that the world rests.

It is of great interest today. Real heroes.

In imperial Russia, there was no more honorable award for an officer than the white cross of the Order of St. George the Victorious. The idea to create such an award belongs to Peter 1. He intended to make such an award the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, established in 1725.
The idea of ​​Peter I was brought to life by Empress Catherine II. Paying tribute to the military glory of the Russian army and striving to strengthen its influence on the military, on November 26, 1769, it approved a new military order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George.
The full name of the order is the Imperial Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George. This award could be received by one who “personally leading the army, will win over the enemy, who is in significant forces, a complete victory, the consequence of which will be his complete destruction”, or, “personally leading the army, will take the fortress.” The order was also awarded for capturing the enemy banner, capturing the commander-in-chief or corps commander of the enemy army and other outstanding feats.
The Order of St. George was divided into four degrees, and the award was made from the fourth degree, then the third was awarded, then the second, and, finally, the one who accomplished the fourth outstanding feat could be presented for the award of the Order of George of the first degree. The motto of the order is "For Service and Courage".
It was extremely difficult to earn the Order of St. George in a combat situation. For example, in the first hundred years of the existence of this award, the order of the fourth degree for bravery in battle received 2239 people, the third degree - 512, the 2nd - 100 and the first - only 20.
In the entire history of Russia, only four people have become full Knights of St. George: M.I. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, M.S. Barclay de Tolly, I.F. Paskevich and I.I. Dibich-Zabalkansky.

Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich(1782 -1856), Field Marshal, Count of Erivan,. Born on May 19, 1782, at the age of 12 he was appointed to the Corps of Pages, and in October 1800, among the first graduates, he was sent as a lieutenant to the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment.
Paskevich made his first military campaign in 1805, but he received real combat training during the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812. He went from captain to major general in five years. Paskevich was a participant in many battles of this war, and in 1810, for capturing enemy batteries at Cape Galotburg during the siege of the fortress of Varna, he earned his first Order of St. George of the fourth degree.
18 days later, in the same place, the Vitebsk regiment, commanded by Colonel Paskevich, repelled the attacks of the Turkish army throughout the day. The fierce battle ended in a complete victory for the Russians, who not only fought on the defensive with a numerically superior enemy, but also counterattacked themselves. This feat became widely known in the army, and the young commander of the Vitebsk regiment was awarded the Order of St. George of the third degree.
Russo-Persian War 1826-1828 Paskevich met in the Caucasus, where he replaced General Yermolov as commander of the Separate Corps. In the war with the Persians, he acted decisively. During the campaign of 1827, Paskevich occupied Nakhichevan, the fortress of Abbas-Abad, which was of great strategic importance, and in October, the fortress of Erivan. The rescript of Nicholas I said: “For the excellent courage, firmness and art shown by Adjutant General Paskevich during the conquest of Sardar Abbad and the important conquest of the famous fortress of Erivan in Asia, welcome the Order of St. George the Victorious 2nd degree of the big cross.” With the capture of Erivan, the Russian-Persian war actually ended. In 1828 peace was signed in Turkmanchai.
In June 1829, in a field battle, Paskevich utterly defeated the Turkish army under the command of Gakki Pasha. During the two-day battles near the village of Kainly, the Sultan's army ceased to exist. Then, having made a march of more than 100 km in three days, on July 5, the Russian corps occupied the Gasean-Kale fortress, and four days later the Russian soldiers entered rich Erzurum, the control center of Asian Turkey. For Erzurum, Infantry General Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich was awarded the Order of St. George of the first degree and became the third full holder of the highest military award of the empire.

Prince MIKHAIL ILLARIONOVICH KUTUZOV - SMOLENSKY, 1745-1815, descended from the ancient noble family of the Golenishchevs - Kutuzovs, was the only son of Illarion Matveyevich, lieutenant general and senator, married to Beklemisheva, and the nephew of the director of the Naval Cadet Corps Ivan Logginovich Golenishchev - Kutuzov; born September 5, 1745. In 1765, the military career of Mikhail Ilarionovich begins, first in Poland, then in the army of gr. Rumyantsev, under Larga and Cahul in 1770 where he served as a quartermaster. The following year, Kutuzov was transferred for various pranks to the Crimean army, Prince. Vasily Dolgoruky, and here, in 1774, when taking Shuma, near Alushta, he received his famous first wound in his right eye; for this work was awarded St. George 4 tbsp. The wound forced Kutuzov to be seriously treated abroad, in Berlin and Vienna, where he had the opportunity to be introduced to King Frederick the Great and Field Marshal Laudon. Beginning in 1776, Kutuzov was almost incessantly with Suvorov; in 1788, under Ochakov, he was again wounded in the head, but the treatment of this wound was as successful as the first time; in 1789 and 1790 Kutuzov acted very successfully against the Turks. Suvorov put it this way about the exploits of Kutuzov near Izmail: “Kutuzov provided new experiences in military art and his personal courage. He walked on my left wing, but was my right hand”; about the same case, Suvorov said his famous phrase that "Kutuzov and Ribas will not deceive." ( order of St. George 3 tbsp.) In the next 1791, Kutuzov entered under the command of Prince I.V. Repnin and, together with Prince S.V. Golitsin and Prince G.S. Volkonsky, participated in the defeat of the Turks at Manchin. For this deed, all three generals were honored to receive St. George 2 st., according to the representation of Prince Repnin. After the Peace of Jassy, ​​Kutuzov was sent by the Empress as an ambassador extraordinary to Constantinople. In 1794, after the death of Count Anhalt, Kutuzov was appointed director of the Shlyakhetsky Cadet Corps, "a hotbed of military people", in the words of Catherine II, and personally taught military history and tactics to the cadets. Under Paul 1, Kutuzov successfully completed diplomatic missions in Berlin and received, in 1800, St. Andrew's ribbon. During the accession of Emperor Alexander 1, Kutuzov was appointed St. Petersburg military governor, in place of c. Palena, but in 1802 he asked for dismissal and retired to his Volyn estate. The war of 1805 again forced him to take command of the Russian army; Unfortunately, Kutuzov's prudent advice was not accepted, and the campaign ended in the ill-fated Austerlitz. Here he was again wounded in the cheek. Having fallen out of favor after these events, Kutuzov was appointed first in Kiev, and then in Vilna Governor-General. In 1811, he ended the war with the Turks with a successful peace, and on October 29 he received the title of count. Finally, the year 1812 arrived. After disagreements between Barclay and Bagration, the Sovereign elected Kutuzov, indicated by popular desire, although not loved by himself, and appointed him commander-in-chief of the Russian army. The battle of Borodino and all actions against Napoleon's troops to the Berezina are associated with the name of Kutuzov. During all this time, he was awarded the princely dignity, with the title of His Serene Highness, the Field Marshal's Baton, the name of "Smolensky" and the order of St. George 1st degree. In a moment of general enthusiasm, Kutuzov alone correctly assessed the circumstances, advised to stop on the Vistula and not fight "for the liberation of Germany." At the beginning of 1813, on April 16, Kutuzov died in Bunzlau from hardships and old ailments; his body was interred in St. Petersburg, in the Kazan Cathedral.
Prince Kutuzov was quite a Russian man; gifted with a quick grasping and flexible mind, an outstanding diplomat, calm and cold-blooded commander, he knew how to instill confidence in his subordinates, and his military abilities were appreciated by such people as Rumyantsev and Suvorov. In old age, under the guise of eternal drowsiness, he noticed everything and, with his characteristic irony, always knew how to be at the height of the situation.

(From a miniature belonging to Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich.)

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, one of the first full Knights of St. George, was awarded the Order of St. George of all four degrees for his personal courage, who led the Russian army to victory in the Patriotic War. During the years of the second or otherwise the Great Patriotic War of 19141-1945. on the ribbon of the Order of St. George, other orders were already awarded - the Order of Glory and the Motherland was proud of the full cavaliers of this order. In our time comes the realization that ALL defenders of the Fatherland are worthy of memory and glory. And for what year now, on Victory Day on May 9, the silent Immortal Regiment of Motherland Defenders rises from under the ground, in its multi-million ranks all those who died for freedom, the Fatherland, photographs of heroes decorated with St. George ribbons are carried by their descendants who want to honor the memory of heroic ancestors poster himself, someone orders on the site

"For service and courage" - that was the motto of the military order of St. George. The history of this order is closely connected with the history of the country. On November 24, 1769, summonses were sent around St. Petersburg, informing that on the 26th “the first day of the establishment of the imperial military order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George will be celebrated at the Court of Her Imperial Majesty ...”. On this day, Catherine II entered the main chambers of the palace in order clothes and, as the founder and grand master, put on herself the signs of this order of the 1st degree, establishing the order holiday on this day.

The statute of the order was announced on 27 November. The order was established "out of a special imperial favor to those serving in the troops, to cancel (distinction) and reward them", that is, "only for a military rank as a reward for jealousy and zeal and to encourage further exploits in military art."

It was a very high award. No wonder it is said about her in the statute: “Neither a high family, nor previous merits, nor wounds received in battles are accepted in respect when awarded the Order of St. George for military exploits; it is awarded only to the one who not only fulfilled his duty in everything by oath, honor and duty, but in addition marked himself for the benefit and glory of Russian weapons with a special distinction.

It was extremely difficult to earn the Order of St. George. For example, in the first hundred years of the existence of this award, the order of the lowest, 4th degree for military distinctions was received by 2239 people, the 3rd - 512 people, the 2nd - 100 people and the 1st degree - 20 people. The following figures eloquently speak of how honorable this award was: more than a thousand people were awarded the highest order of the Russian Empire - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the first degree of the Order of St. George - only 25 people, 8 of them are foreigners.

The order could be received, for example, by one who “personally leading the army, will win over the enemy, who is in significant forces, a complete victory, the consequence of which will be his complete destruction” or “personally leading the army, will take the fortress.” This award could also be issued for capturing an enemy banner, capturing the commander-in-chief or corps commander of an enemy army, and other outstanding feats. The statute of the Order of George also said: "This order should never be removed, for it is acquired by merit."

The Order of St. George was of four degrees, and the first time the recipient was presented to the lowest, 4th degree, the next time to the higher, the 3rd, then the 2nd and finally the fourth outstanding military feat could be presented for awarding the order St. George 1st degree.

The only woman (except Catherine II) awarded the Order of St. George was Raisa (according to other sources - Rimma) Mikhailovna Ivanova, a sister of mercy, awarded the 4th degree posthumously during the First World War.

In 1916, the French fortress of Verdun was awarded the Order of St. George of the 4th degree for the courage of its defenders in the defense of the so-called Verdun salient. This is the only case of collective awarding of the Order of George.

Only four people in the entire glorious history of the Russian army and navy became full cavaliers of the Order of St. George, that is, they had all four degrees: this is Field Marshal General His Serene Highness Prince Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov; Field Marshal Prince Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly; Field Marshal General His Serene Highness Prince, Count Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich-Erivansky; Field Marshal Count Ivan Ivanovich Dibich-Zabalkansky.

Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov (1745-1813) went through the fire and smoke of battles with the Russian army throughout his entire military career from ensign to field marshal.

On July 23, 1774, the regiment of the Moscow Legion, the battalion of which was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel M.I. Kutuzov, swiftly attacked the village of Shumy, fortified by Turkish troops. The battalion crushed the enemy and put him to flight. At the head of the first battalion of the regiment M.I. Kutuzov burst into Noises with a banner in his hands, but in this attack he was seriously wounded: a bullet hit him in the left temple and exited at the right eye, which was badly damaged. The doctors considered the wounded man hopeless, but M.I. Kutuzov not only survived, but also returned to duty. For this battle, he received his first Order of George - a cross of the 4th degree.

In 1788, Kutuzov took part in the siege and capture of Ochakov. On August 18, the garrison of the fortress made a sortie and attacked a battalion of Russian rangers. The four-hour battle, which ended in Russian victory, was personally led by M.I. Kutuzov. And again a severe wound: a bullet hit the left cheek and exited the back of the head. Doctors predicted an imminent death, but he survived and continued his military service: in 1789 he accepted a separate corps, with which Akkerman occupied, fought near Causeni and during the assault on Bendery.

The year 1790 is glorified in Russian military history by the storming of Izmail. About the actions of M.I. Kutuzov, who commanded one of the assault columns, A.V. Suvorov later wrote: "He walked on my left wing, but was my right hand." On March 25, 1791, for distinction in the capture of Ishmael, the commander receives a white neck cross - the Order of St. George of the 3rd degree and is promoted to lieutenant general. In the view of M.I. Kutuzov for the award, it was said: “Major General and Cavalier Golenishchev-Kutuzov showed new experiences of art and courage, overcoming all difficulties under the strongest enemy fire, climbed the shaft, took possession of the bastion, and when an excellent enemy forced him to stop, he, serving an example of courage, held the place, overcame a strong enemy, established himself in the fortress and then continued to hit the enemies.

Signs of the Order of St. George 2nd degree - a large neck cross and a star - M.I. Kutuzov received for the victory at Machin on June 28, 1791. This battle lasted about six hours and ended with the complete defeat of the Turks. The commander of the Russian troops, Field Marshal N.V. Repnin reported in his report: "The quickness and ingenuity of General Golenishchev-Kutuzov surpasses all my praise."

The role of M.I. Kutuzov in the Patriotic War of 1812 is well known. Being first the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of Russia, and then the commander-in-chief of the allied forces, he showed himself to be a wonderful strategist, a man of great statesmanship and the greatest commander. December 12, 1812 for "the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from the borders of Russia" M.I. Kutuzov, already in the rank of field marshal, received the highest military award of Russia - the Order of St. George, 1st degree - and became the first full holder of the Order of St. George.

The second full holder of the Order of St. George - Field Marshal Prince Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) - received the first St. George Cross in 1794 for the Polish campaign, distinguishing himself in taking the fortifications of the city of Vilna by attack and destroying the colonel's detachment near Grodno Grabovsky. He was awarded the second degree of the order for Borodino. He was the only person awarded such a high order for this battle. He earned the first degree in 1813, having defeated General Vandam's corps near Kulm.

The third full cavalier, Field Marshal Count Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich, Most Serene Prince of Warsaw (1782-1856), earned the first two degrees for exploits in the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812, and the other two - in the Russian-Turkish war of 1828 -1829 for the capture of the fortresses of Erivan and Erzerum.

The fourth and last full cavalier was Field Marshal Count Ivan Ivanovich Dibich-Zabalkansky (1785-1831), who received George 4th degree for the war of 1805-1807. against Napoleon. He received the third degree in 1812, and the first and second - in the war of 1828-1829, being the commander-in-chief of the Russian army in the European theater of operations.

In 1833, a new statute of the order was adopted, which was intended to further elevate the significance of the award. In total, the statute detailed 64 points for which an officer could receive the George Cross.

Earlier, in 1807, the insignia of the Order of St. George for awarding soldiers, sailors and non-commissioned officers. Already in the first rules regarding the insignia, it was indicated: “It is acquired only in the battlefield, during the defense of fortresses and in naval battles. They are awarded only to those of the lower military ranks who, while serving in the Russian ground and naval forces, really show their excellent courage in the fight against the enemy.

It was possible to earn a distinction - a soldier's St. George's Cross - only by performing a feat of arms, for example, capturing an enemy banner or standard, capturing an enemy officer or general, being the first to enter an enemy fortress during an assault or (during boarding) aboard an enemy ship. The lower rank, who saved the life of his commander in combat conditions, could also receive this award.

The insignia of the Order of St. George No. 1 was received by the non-commissioned officer of the cavalry regiment Yegor Ivanovich Mitrokhin (Mityukhin), who distinguished himself in the battle with the French near Friedland on June 2, 1807.

From the very moment of its establishment, the insignia of the military order, in addition to the official one, received several more names: St. George's Cross of the 5th degree, soldier George ("Egoriy"), etc. Soldier George N9 6723 was awarded to the famous cavalry girl, the heroine of the war with Napoleon Nadezhda Durova, who began her service as a simple lancer.

The most difficult years for Russia, when the people, driven by a sense of patriotism, stood up to defend the Fatherland, were also marked by the largest number of St. George soldiers' awards. So, during the Patriotic War of 1812, during the Crimean War of 1853-1856 (the main and most striking episode of which was the heroic defense of Sevastopol), tens of thousands of heroes were awarded the insignia of the military order.

In 1844, a kind of insignia appeared to reward people of non-Christian faith. From 1844 to 1856, 1368 such awards were made.

By decree of March 19, 1856, the insignia was subdivided into 4 degrees, and the award began with the lowest, 4th degree, and then, as in the case of awarding the officer order of St. George, the 3rd, 2nd and finally 1- i degree.

Already in 1856, 151 people were awarded the soldier George of the 1st degree, that is, they became full Knights of St. George. In subsequent years, the soldier's St. George's Cross of the 1st degree was issued less frequently: for example, in 1857 - 3 times, in 1858 - 4 times, in 1859 - 8 times, etc. For the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. about 46 thousand St. George's soldier's crosses of various degrees were issued for the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905. - about 87 thousand.

There was also a new kind of sign for the Gentiles, which also had 4 degrees. From 1856 to 1913, when the "Muslim" version of the award was abolished, 29 people received the 1st degree badge.

The first full cavalier of the insignia for the Gentiles was the police cadet of the 2nd Dagestan irregular cavalry regiment Labazan Ibragim Khalilogly.

In 1913, a new statute of the insignia of the military order was approved. It became officially known as the George Cross.

Soldier George 1st degree N 1 received at the very beginning of the First World War, in the fall of 1914, ensign Nikifor Udalykh, who saved the banner of the 1st Nevsky Infantry Regiment.

Many Soviet military leaders who began a difficult military school in the fire of the First World War were Knights of St. George. St. George's crosses marked the courage and military merits of the Marshals of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukova, K.K. Rokossovsky, General I.V. Tyulenev and many other prominent Soviet generals and military leaders.

A full bow, that is, all four soldier's crosses, had the heroes of the Civil War S.M. Budyonny, V.I. Chapaev and others.

The St. George Ribbon, on which a cross with the image of a saint was attached in the 19th - early 20th century, has symbolized the victory of our country in the Great Patriotic War for many decades. She is also a link between the heroes of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

Full Knights of St. George in our country enjoyed universal honor even in the twenties and forties, when they wanted to erase everything that was before the October Revolution from the people's memory. Among them there are those who later became the Hero of the Soviet Union, including more than once.

background

The Order of St. George appeared in the list of awards of the Russian Empire in 1769. He had 4 degrees of distinction and was intended for officers. Full Knights of the Order of St. George became only 4 people:

• M. I. Kutuzov.
• M. B. Barclay de Tolly.
• I. F. Paskevich-Erivansky.
• I. I. Dibich-Zabalkansky.

institution

At the moment, it is not known who exactly was the initiator of the establishment of the Insignia of the Military Order, or, as it was more commonly called, the St. George Cross. According to the surviving documents, in 1807 a note was filed in the name of Alexander the First proposing to establish a soldier's award. It was to become "a special branch of the Order of St. George." The idea was approved, and already at the beginning of February 1807, a corresponding manifesto was issued.

There are many cases of confusion associated with the fact that the order is confused with the soldier's "Egoriy". For example, if it is claimed that Colonel Zorya Lev Ivanovich, who graduated from the cadet school in 1881, is a full Knight of St. George, then one can immediately object that this is a mistake. Indeed, among the officers there was no one who was awarded such a cross again, and the last who had an order of all 4 degrees was I.I. Dibich-Zabaikalsky - died in 1831.

Description

The award is a cross, the blades of which expanded towards the end. In its center is a round medallion. The obverse depicted St. George with a spear, striking a snake. On the reverse side of the medallion there are the letters С and Г connected in the form of a monogram.

The cross was worn on everything today by the well-known “color of smoke and flame” (black and orange) ribbon.

Since 1856, the award began to have 4 degrees. The first and second were made of gold, and the other two were made of silver. The reverse indicated the degree of the award and its serial number.

There were also special "Muslim" insignia of the Military Order. Instead of a Christian saint, they depicted the Russian coat of arms. Interestingly, when people from the North Caucasus were awarded with "Egoriy", they demanded to give them the option "with a horseman", instead of the prescribed one.

In 1915, due to the difficulties caused by the war, crosses of the 1st and 2nd degrees began to be made from an alloy that consisted of 60% gold, 39.5% silver and half a percent copper. At the same time, the signs of the 3rd and 4th degrees were not subject to change.

Awarded

In the summer of 1807, non-commissioned officer E. I. Mitrokhin received the first St. George Cross. He was decorated for bravery in the battle against the French near Friedland.

There are known cases of awarding and civilians. So, in 1810, the St. George Cross was awarded to the tradesman M. A. Gerasimov. Together with his comrades, this brave man arrested the British military who captured the Russian merchant ship, and was able to bring the ship to the port of Varde. There, the prisoners were interned, and the merchants were helped. In addition, for heroism in the Patriotic War of 1812, St. George's crosses without numbers were received by the commanders of partisan detachments from among civilians of the lower class.

Among other interesting facts related to the awarding of the St. George Cross, one can note its presentation to the famous General Miloradovich. This brave commander, in the battle near Leipzig, in front of Alexander the First, got into line with the soldiers and led them into a bayonet attack, for which he received “Egoria” from the hands of the emperor, who did not rely on him by status.

Full Cavaliers

The four-degree cross existed for 57 years. Over the years, about 2,000 people got into the full St. George Cavaliers (list). In addition, about 7,000 crosses of the second, third and fourth degrees were awarded, 3rd and 4th - about 25,000, and 4th degree - 205,336.

At the time of the October Revolution, several hundred full St. George Knights lived in Russia. Many of them joined the Red Army and rose to the highest military ranks of the USSR. Of these, 7 also became Heroes of the Soviet Union. Among them:

• Ageev G.I. (posthumously).
• Budyonny S.M.
• Kozyr M. E.
• Lazarenko I. S.
• Meshryakov M. M.
• Nedorubov K.I.
• Tyulenev I.V.

S. M. Budyonny

The name of this legendary personality thundered in parts of the Russian cavalry during the First World War, and even earlier - the Russian-Japanese. For courage on the Austrian, German and Caucasian fronts, Semyon Mikhailovich was awarded crosses and medals of all 4 degrees.

His first award was received for the capture of a German convoy and 8 soldiers accompanying it. However, Budyonny was deprived of her because he hit an officer. This did not prevent him from getting on the list of "Full St. George's Cavaliers", since on the Turkish front Semyon Budyonny earned 3 St. George's crosses during the battles for Van and Mendelid, and the last (first degree) - for capturing 7 enemy soldiers. Thus, he became the person who received 5 awards.

During the Civil War, he initiated the creation, and in 1935 he and four other commanders of the USSR were awarded the rank of marshal.

During the Second World War, Semyon Budyonny did not have the opportunity to show his abilities, as he was removed from command of the South-Western direction of the front because of a telegram in which he honestly described the danger that threatened those who were in the so-called Kiev bag.

In the postwar years, the commander was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union three times.

Kuzma Petrovich Trubnikov

This legendary person was a participant in three wars. For the exploits committed between 1914 and 1917, he received many awards. In particular, the list of "Full Cavaliers of St. George" also contains his last name. He showed himself no less heroically during the Second World War, organizing the defense of Tula, commanding troops during the Battle of Stalingrad, commanding the units entrusted to him during the liberation of Yelnya, etc. At the Victory Parade, Trubnikov, who at that time had already been awarded the rank of colonel general, led a box of a consolidated regiment of the 2nd Belorussian Front. For his long service, the military leader was awarded 38 orders and medals of tsarist Russia, the USSR and a number of other countries.

Ivan Vladimirovich Tyulenev

The future was born in the family of a participant in the Russian-Turkish war. He was drafted into the army at the beginning of the First World War and ended up in a regiment, where K.K. Rokossovsky also served at that time. Starting the war as a simple soldier, Ivan Vladimirovich Tyulenev rose to the rank of ensign. For the heroism shown in the battles on the territory of Poland, he was awarded the George Cross four times. In the very first days of the Second World War, Tyulenev was appointed commander of the Southern Front, but in August he was seriously wounded, and after the hospital he was sent to the Urals to form 20 divisions. In 1942, the commander was sent to the Caucasus. At his request, the defense of the Main Range was strengthened, which in the future made it possible to stop the offensive of the Nazis, with the aim of capturing oil fields in the Caspian Sea region.

In 1978, for merits in defending the Motherland and increasing the country's defense capability, I. V. Tyulenev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and he became one of the seven outstanding military men who were awarded the highest award of the USSR, having the title "Full St. George Cavalier of the First World War" .

R. Ya. Malinovsky

The future, at the age of 11, ran away from home due to the marriage of his mother and worked as a laborer until he got into the army, attributing two years to himself. The deception was revealed, but the teenager was able to persuade the command to leave him to bring ammunition to the machine gunners. In 1915, the 17-year-old soldier received his first Egoriy. Then he was sent to France as part of the Expeditionary Force, where he was twice awarded by the government of the Third Republic. In 1919, Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovsky enrolled in the Foreign Legion, and for bravery on the German front he became a holder of the French Military Cross. In addition, by order of the Kolchak general D. Shcherbachev, he was awarded the St. George Cross of the third degree.

In 1919, Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovsky returned to his homeland and became one of the active participants in the Civil War, and in the late 30s he was sent as a military adviser to Spain.

The merits of this commander during the Great Patriotic War are also invaluable. In particular, the troops under his command liberated Odessa, played an important role in the Battle of Stalingrad, expelled the Nazis from Budapest and took Vienna.

After the end of the war in Europe, Malinovsky was sent to the Far East, where the actions of the Trans-Baikal Front led by him finally defeated the Japanese group. For the successful implementation of this operation, Rodion Yakovlevich received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The second Golden Star was awarded to him in 1958.

Other Soviet generals awarded the St. George Cross for bravery

Before the revolution, other soldiers of the imperial army, who were destined to become famous generals of the USSR, were also awarded the soldier's "Egoriy" before the revolution. Among them are Sidor Kovpak and Konstantin Rokossovsky, who were awarded two crosses. In addition, the famous hero of the Civil War V. Chapaev had three such awards.

Now you know the details of the biographies of some prominent military men who can be classified as "Full Knights of St. George." The list of their exploits is amazing, and they themselves deserve the respect and gratitude of their descendants, who are not indifferent to the fate of their native country.