- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 29 October 1975
- Country: Germany (GDR DDR German Democratic Republic)
The Hero of the German Democratic Republic (or Held der Arbeit in German) was the highest honor awarded by East Germany, accompanied by a gold star medal, certificate, and financial reward.
Established by the politburo of the Socialist Unity Party on 29 October 1975, it was first awarded on 28 November 1975.
The first recipient was General Heinz Hoffmann on his 65th birthday. The first foreign recipient was Leonid Brezhnev, who was honored three times. Only two recipients, cosmonauts Vladimir Kovalyonok and Aleksander Ivanchenkov, are still alive today. The last citizen of the GDR to bear the title was Sigmund Jähn, who passed away in 2019.
A total of 17 awards were given to 11 recipients.
The Hero of the German Democratic Republic Award Criteria
The title was awarded to individuals who demonstrated extraordinary service or acts of heroism that contributed significantly to the development, international standing, military security, or authority of the GDR. Eligible recipients included combatants against fascism, servicemen of the National People’s Army, civilians cooperating with the armed services, foreign nationals in exceptional cases, and cosmonauts, who were also honored as Cosmonaut of the German Democratic Republic.
The Hero of the German Democratic Republic Privileges
The five-pointed gold star medal was similar to the Soviet Union’s Hero of the Soviet Union. Recipients also received a certificate and financial reward. After 1978, the Order of Karl Marx was a prerequisite for this honor. Both the medal and the certificate had to be returned to the state upon the recipient’s death.
Originally, up to 10 awards could be given annually, with recipients eligible for multiple awards, leading to titles such as “twice Hero” or, uniquely for Leonid Brezhnev, “three times Hero” of the GDR.
The Hero of the German Democratic Republic Design
The design of the Hero of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) medal is inspired by the Soviet Hero of the Soviet Union award. The medal features a five-pointed gold star, symbolizing excellence and achievement.
The main component of the award was a gold star with five points, which was worn on the left side of the chest. The star was polished and made to stand out, signifying the highest level of honor and valor recognized by the state.
The medal is suspended from a red ribbon, reflecting the socialist values and heritage of the GDR. The red color symbolized the socialist ideology and the connection to the broader communist movement. The ribbon was designed to be worn on the uniform, making the award highly visible.
Alongside the medal, recipients were presented with a certificate documenting their achievements and the reasons for their recognition and a financial reward.
