Yuri Gagarin

[Auke]

Gentlemen,

I'm looking for the names of the Soviet medals Yuri Gagarin received. I've read that he received five Soviet medals, and from pictures I could identify the Virgin Lands Medal and the 40 Years of Armed Forces Medal. Who can give me the names of the three others? Below is a picture of Gagarin with the above two medals visible.

Thanks,
Auke

[ericlida]

Auke,
I put together (almost done, missing few awards) exact copy of Gagarin's uniform.You can see it on the picture below.
Here is a history of Gagarin’s titles and awards.
In the beginning of 1958 Yuri Gagarin was awarded his first medal “40 Years of Soviet Army of the USSR”.
On November 10, 1960 he started wearing the badge “Parachutist - Instructor”.
The first medal for the space flight was awarded to Yuri Gagarin at the place of his landing – “Medal for Reclaiming of the Virgin Lands”. After this, almost all cosmonauts were receiving this medal at the place of landing of the space ships.
On April 14, 1961 L.I.Brezhnev placed the Star of Hero of Soviet Union and Order of Lenin on the Gagarin’s uniform.
On April 15, 1961 Gagarin received title and the badge “Military Pilot” -1st Class.
The first foreign award was given to Gagarin on April 29, 1961 – Star of Hero of Labor of Czechoslovakia. After this, on May 24, 1961 he received title and the Star of Hero of Labor of Bulgaria and Order of Georgy Dimitrov. On June 20, 1961 during his visit in Poland, Yuri Gagarin received Grunwald Cross 1st Class. In 1961 Gagarin received Order of Karl Marx from GDR. On April 28, 1962 Democratic Republic of Vietnam awards Gagarin with the title and Star “Hero of Labor”.
Finally, on June 27, 1961 Yuri Gagarin received his badge “Pilot Cosmonaut of the USSR”.
In April of 1962 Gagarin became a Deputy of Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
On November 6, 1963 Yuri Gagarin was awarded the title of Colonel.
On May 9, 1965 Yuri Gagarin received medal “XX Years Victory in World War II”, in March 1966 medal “For Irreproachable Services in Soviet Army” 3rd Class, and in January 1968 medal “50 Years of Soviet Army of the USSR”.
On February 17, 1968 Yuri Gagarin received Graduation Badge from Military Academy named after Zhukovsky. This was his last award.
Eric

[Auke]

That's exactly what I needed to know! Thanks a lot Eric!

Auke

[Esteban_cool]

I wonder what are those other awards that he´s wearing, particularly the one placed ar the right of the Grünwald Cross.

[willie777]

Is it just me, or is that an M69 uniform? I don't think Gagarin "survived" long enough to have had a chance to wear it. Nevertheless, a great "copy" and it sure does look better than those M58's.

[Al-muell]

Originally Posted by Esteban_cool

I wonder what are those other awards that he´s wearing, particularly the one placed ar the right of the Grünwald Cross.

You mean Dymitrov?

Btw. Grunwald, not Grünwald. At least officially.;)

[Esteban_cool]

Nope, I said the right side, but I meant the right side of the photo . The big round medallion next to the GC.

The two awards located under the Hungarian Order of the Flag and the collar are also unknown to me.

[tsander]

Originally Posted by ericlida

Auke,
I put together (almost done, missing few awards) exact copy of Gagarin's uniform.You can see it on the picture below.
Here is a history of Gagarin’s titles and awards.........

Eric

Hello Everybody,
This is my first post, so I am sorry if this is not the proper way, but I have a question regarding the post by Ericlida, perhaps he can answer it himself.
In the Gagarin uniform he put together there is a Red Flag (pin?) on Gagarin lapel. I´ve seen this red flag in several Gagarin photos but I was unable to identify what is. Certainly looks like an award, or just a distinction of some sort. Other cosmonauts of the first group used it too. Can someone tell me what it is? Thanks!

[ericlida]

The Red Flag badge is the badge of the Deputy of Supreme Soviet of the USSR.