Established 13 July 1950. Awarded to border troops, servicemen and civilians for outstanding military deeds related to state frontier security. Gold medal awarded, on the same basis, exclusively to border troops. It ranks highest among the awards for public service probably because of the great dangers facing guards along the extremely long borders of the USSR. ( The first Russians killed by Hitler's army in 1941 were border guards ). Until February 1966, the medal was constructed of silver. After this, it was constructed of German silver ( Copper, Zinc, and Nickel Alloy ) then a copper-nickel alloy. Approximately 67,000 were issued. |