Hero of the GDR

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Hero of the GDR
medal
Hero of the GDR.png
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The honorary title hero of the GDR was donated on October 28, 1975 as the highest state distinction of the German Democratic Republic and was first awarded on November 28, 1975. In total, the title was awarded 17 times, with 11 people being honored.

Award terms

The honorary title could be awarded to people who, through extraordinary achievements and merits, had accomplished heroic deeds for the German Democratic Republic , for its development and all-round strengthening, for international recognition and authority and for its secure military protection. This required a high level of personal commitment and willingness to make sacrifices, as well as courage and audacity. In particular, heroic deeds could be honored that were accomplished in the areas of:

Medal and privileges

The title itself included the “Golden Star” medal, a certificate, a monetary bonus and the compulsory award of the Karl Marx Order from 1978 onwards. Both decorations were to be returned to the state after the recipient died.

Originally, an annual quota of ten titles was planned. A multiple award was possible, so that there were not only "simple", but also "double" heroes, that is, the honorary title was awarded twice.

Award practice

The newly created title was first awarded on November 28, 1975, to Army General Heinz Hoffmann on the occasion of his 65th birthday. The first foreign honoree was Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev , who was honored as a hero of the GDR on December 13, 1976. Brezhnev received this award three times.

carrier

Government members of the GDR

Government members of the Soviet Union

Cosmonauts

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