Medal for excellent performance in competition

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The medal for excellent performance in the competition was a state award of the GDR , which was donated on November 1, 1953 in one stage. It could be awarded for high achievements and exemplary initiatives in socialist competition, which were awarded for the all-round fulfillment and targeted surpassing of the national economic plan. Especially for indication factors that had led to higher productivity and effectiveness. The medal itself could be awarded to individuals as well as collectives of up to 25 members, but also to collectives of significantly more than 25 members, if this was inextricably linked to performance. As a rule, it was only awarded once, along with a certificate and a bonus. The award was made by the ministers and the heads of the other central state organs of the GDR, but also by the chairmen of the district councils every year on May 1st and October 7th, Republic Day.

Appearance and wearing style

First form

The first version of this medal, which was awarded from 1956 until unification in 1964, is round, gold-plated and measures 29.5 mm in height and 29 mm in width. The middle part is surrounded by a 5 mm thick lettering ring with the golden inscription: FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITION (below) and above the edge of the medal, the area in which the medal was awarded is pushed out. The middle medallion shows symbols from the department. So z. B. in water management by the representation of a dam surrounded by two semicircular laurel branches. This laurel branch can be found in all variants. So far, the following areas have become known:

  • Foreign trade
  • Construction industry
  • Building materials industry
  • Mining and metallurgy
  • Chemical industry
  • German postal service
  • railroad
  • Coal and energy
  • Consumer cooperative
  • Motor transport and road traffic
  • Culture
  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • food industry
  • Light industry
  • mechanical engineering
  • pharmacy
  • Shipping
  • Heavy industry
  • State retail
  • State wholesale
  • VEAB
  • Water management

The reverse of the medal, on the other hand, is smooth and empty and shows only a horizontally soldered needle with a counter-hook. The medal was worn as a cross on the upper left side of the chest.

Medal for excellent performance in competition (uniform edition)

Second form

The uniform shape of the medal, introduced in 1964, is shield-shaped, measures 34 × 34 mm and is bronze-colored. On her obverse it shows a red enamelled, later lacquered waving flag in the center with the inscription: DER / SOZIALISMUS / SIEGT on a grained ground, and on the left above the small 8 mm diameter national coat of arms of the GDR. The whole thing is enclosed by a tape also in the form of a shield with the inscription: FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITION . The reverse of the medal, on the other hand, is smooth and empty. The medal was worn on the upper left side of the chest on a 25 × 12 mm red covered clasp, in which two yellow 0.8 mm wide vertical central stripes were woven on both sides 3 mm from the edge, the distance between them also being 3 mm. The interim brace was of the same quality.

Individual evidence

  1. a b Taschenlexikon Orders and Medals - State Awards of the GDR, 2nd edition VEB Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig 1983, author Günter Tautz, page 54
  2. ^ Awards of the German Democratic Republic Bartel / Karpinski, Military Publishing House of the GDR 1979, page 148/149