Order of the Red Banner

Order of the Red Banner
The Order of the Red Banner
Type	Single-grade order
Awarded for	Heroism in combat or long service in the armed forces
Presented by	Soviet Union
Eligibility	Soviet Citizens
Status	No longer awarded
Established	August 1, 1924
Last awarded	1991
Total	581,300
Ribbon of the Order of the Red Banner
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of the October Revolution
Equivalent	Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Next (lower)	Order of Suvorov

The Order of the Red Banner (Russian: Орден Красного Знамени, romanized: Orden Krasnogo Znameni) was the first Soviet military decoration. The Order was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. It was the highest award of Soviet Russia, subsequently the Soviet Union, until the Order of Lenin was established in 1930. Recipients were recognised for extraordinary heroism, dedication, and courage demonstrated on the battlefield. The Order was awarded to individuals as well as to military units, cities, ships, political and social organizations, and state enterprises. In later years, it was also awarded on the twentieth and again on the thirtieth anniversary of military, police, or state security service without requiring participation in combat (the "Long Service Award" variant).