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The Gold Star medal (Russian: медаль «Золотая Звезда») is a special insignia that identifies recipients of the title "Hero" in the Soviet Union and some of its allies, and several post-Soviet states.
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Soviet origin
The Gold Star was established by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on August 1, 1939. Previously, a Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded the Order of Lenin and a special diploma (gramota, грамота) describing the heroic feat. The medal was introduced to distinguish these heroes from other Order of Lenin recipients.
The Gold Star was not normally issued for posthumous awards of the title "Hero of the Soviet Union".
The Soviet medal is a gold star hanging from a rectangular suspension device with a red ribbon. It is worn on the left side of the chest above all other orders and medals.
Although it is described as a medal, it is actually a distinctive badge, worn apart and above any other orders and medals, and always in full.
Post-Soviet successors
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the title "Hero of the Soviet Union" was succeeded by titles and insignia in some of the now-independent states, such as "Hero of Belarus", "Hero of the Russian Federation" and "Hero of Ukraine". Their associated badges derive from the Soviet medal design, replacing red with the color(s) of the issuing state (red for the USSR, white/blue/red for the Russian Federation, blue/yellow for Ukraine, red/green for Belarus).