- Time Period: Second World War
- Year of Institution: 22 December 1942
- Country: Russia & USSR
The Medal for the Defense of Odessa (or Медаль «За оборону Одессы», Medal «Za oboronu Odessy» in Russian) was established on 22 December 1942 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Odessa between 10 August and 16 October 1941.
The medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defense of the port city of Odessa from the armed forces of Nazi Germany. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defense of Odessa issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment, or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority.
Each medal came with an “attestation of award” certificate.
The Medal for the Defense of Odessa Design
The medal was 32mm in diameter, circular, and made of brass, with a raised rim.
On the obverse in the background, the seashore and a distant lighthouse at right, in the center, the image of a red soldier and a red sailor marching towards the left their rifles at the ready; above the servicemen, the relief inscription «СССР» (“USSR”). A circular band following the medal’s entire circumference bears the relief inscription «ЗА ОБОРОНУ ОДЕССЫ» (“FOR THE DEFENCE OF ODESSA”) at its top, at both ends of the inscription, relief five-pointed stars. On the same band at the bottom center, a five-pointed star over a ribbon superimposed over the crossing point of laurel and oak branches going up the band to the two five-pointed stars near the upper inscription.
On the reverse near the top, the relief image of the hammer and sickle, below the image, the relief inscription in three rows «ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ» (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”).
The medal was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide olive green silk moiré ribbon with a 2mm central light blue stripe.
Other Soviet Defense Medals from WW2
The medals awarded for the defense of various places during World War II belong to a specific group of Soviet campaign medals. These medals were instituted by the Soviet Union to recognize and honor the efforts and sacrifices of those who participated in the defense of key cities and regions against Axis forces.
The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad
The Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who were part of the defense of Stalingrad in 1942.
The Medal for the Defense of Leningrad
The Medal for the Defense of Leningrad was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of Leningrad in 1944.
The Medal for the Defense of Moscow
The Medal for the Defense of Moscow was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the Battle of Moscow during WW2.
The Medal for the Defense of Sevastopol
The Medal for the Defense of Sevastopol was awarded to all Soviet military and civilians who participated in the defense of the port city.
