The Marshal's Star () is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

, and subsequently the

Russian Federation Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

Overview

The armed forces of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insignia for higher military ranks, both in the form of a five-pointed star of gold and platinum with diamonds. They are worn around the neck when in parade uniform (originally under the collar of the parade tunic, since 1955 on top of the necktie). There are two different sizes of star available, with the official name, size and number of diamonds corresponding to the marshal's rank. Informally they are known as the "Large Marshal's Star" and the "Small Marshal's Star". The official names of the Marshal's Stars have changed over time, depending on which ranks received the right to wear them. The Marshal's Stars correspond with the Western use of the marshal's baton. On the death of the recipient, the award is returned to the Diamond Fund for re-use. Marshal's Stars were first awarded to holders of the ranks ''

Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union (, ) was the second-highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin wore the uniform and insignia of Marshal after World War II. The rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union was created in 1935 and abolished in ...

'' and '' Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union''. In time, smaller stars were awarded to chief marshals of the branch, marshals of the branch, Army Generals and Fleet Admirals.

Large Marshal's Star

Description

It is a gold five-pointed star with smooth diagonal rays on the front side. In the center is a platinum, five-pointed star with diamonds. The diamonds in the center have a total weight of 2.62 carats and in the rays there are 25 diamonds weighing a total of 1.25 carats. Between the edges of rays are 5 diamonds weighing a total of 3.06 carats. The diameter of the gold star is and the platinum stars are in diameter. The star has a depth of . The Marshal's Star has a triangular eyelet in the upper beam which is connected to an oval eyelet measuring . The Marshal's Star is suspended by a moire ribbon. The total weight of the Large Marshal's Star is . Approximately 200 of this type of Marshal's Star were produced.

Use in the Soviet Union

The Large Marshal's Star was the distinction insignia for OF10-ranks as follows: *From 2 September 1940 for holders of the rank ''

'' *From 3 March 1955 for holders of the rank '' Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union''

Use in the Russian Federation

In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Large Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for marshals of the Russian Federation from 1993 until 21 January 1997.

Small Marshal's Star

Description

The decoration is a five-pointed gold star with smooth dihedral rays on the obverse. On top of the gold star there is a smaller five-pointed star made of platinum. In the center of the platinum star there is a 2.04-carat diamond. In the rays of platinum star there are twenty five 0.91-carat diamonds. The total diameter of the gold star is and it weighs . It is connected to a moire ribbon in the same way as the large star. About 370 Small Marshal's Stars have been produced.

Use in the Soviet Union

The "Small Marshal's Star" was the distinction insignia for OF9 ranks as follows: *From February 27, 1943, for the following marshal of the branch ranks: **''Marshal of the Artillery'', ''Marshal of Aviation'' and ''Marshal of the Armored Troops'' *From March 20, 1944, for: **''Marshal of the Signal Troops'' and ''Marshal of Engineer Troops'' *From June 5, 1962: ''

Fleet Admiral An admiral of the fleet or shortened to fleet admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to field marshal and marshal of the air force. An admiral of the fleet is typically senior to an admiral. It is also a generic ter ...

'' *From November 1, 1972: ''

Army General Army general or General of the army is the highest ranked general officer in many countries that use the French Revolutionary System. Army general is normally the highest rank used in peacetime. In countries that adopt the general officer fou ...

'' There was no formal decree pertaining to use the Small Marshal's Star as distinction insignia to chief marshal of the branch ranks. However, after promotion from marshal of the branch to chief marshal of the branch the appropriate general officers continued to wear the Small Marshal's Star.

Use in the Russian Federation

In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Small Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for the ranks general of the army and admiral of the fleet. It has been replaced by a cross.

Ribbons

A ''Marshal of the Soviet Unions star used a red satin ribbon suspension; ribbons for ''marshals of a branch'' varied accordingly: gold for artillery, light blue for aviation, burgundy for armoured troops, crimson for engineers, blue for signals, and turquoise for the navy.

References

* Ministry of Defense Military Uniform Regulations, 1988 edition, pp. 99, 101.

External links

{{commons category , Marshal's Star
Указ Президиума Верховного Совета СССР «Об учреждении маршальского знака отличия «Маршальская Звезда» маршала артиллерии, маршала авиации, маршала бронетанковых войск» от 27 февраля 1943 года
// Ведомости Верховного Совета Союза Советских Социалистических Республик : газета. — 1943. — 6 марта (No. 10 (216)). — С. 1 Formal insignia Military insignia Military of the Soviet Union