Full Cavalier of the Order of St. George
The cross of St. George is the military decoration awarded for bravery to all members of the Russian Army. It dates from the Tsar's time and is unique in that it is not reserved for commissioned officers. Instead it may be awarded to all ranks who have not received a commission who demonstrate bravery in the face of the enemy, the most common such circumstance is an action which saves the life of a comrade in arms or civilian. As the only such award it is separated into four classes. Each class is awarded successively with another act of bravery. Thus the most common form of the award is the Cross of St. George, 4th Class, and the rarest is the Cross of St. George, 1st Class. It resembles in this way the Order of St. George which is awarded to Officers only and is usually further restricted by rank unless lower classes have already been awarded. The Order can be awarded for leadership and success as well as bravery whereas the cross is awarded only for bravery.
The both share the same colours gold and black, the colours of the Russian Army. Where as the Order takes the form of breast stars, sashes, and medals worn from the neck. The Cross is worn as a medal on the left hand breast suspended from the ribbon of Cross and is silver for the 3rd and 4th classes and gold for the 1st and 2nd the ribbons of the 3rd and 1st Classes are also decorated with a bow to distinguish them from the 4th and 2nd classes. In 1917 the Provisional Government opened the award to junior officers and in 1918 to senior officer with the same requirements as for non commissioned officers and soldiers. For such awards a silver laurel is attached to the ribbon of the cross.
Should a soldier receive all four classes of the Cross they are further awarded the title of full Cavalier of the Cross of St. George. A personal title equivalent in many ways to a form of knighthood. It is rare, for obvious reasons, though the World War and Russian Civil war provided ample opportunity for those who wished to try and earn it. The title itself carries no particular privileges or additional decorations, but it is a source of respect given to those who hold it. Even senior officers are expected to acknowledge such men with a salute, though they almost certainly outrank them.
There are several thousand holders of this title, most dating from the devastating wars so recent in Russian memory. Many of their holders are still relatively young men, though some are now approaching middle age. A testament to the turmoil of years past; and to those who not only survived, but protected and inspired those around them through those terrible years.
The both share the same colours gold and black, the colours of the Russian Army. Where as the Order takes the form of breast stars, sashes, and medals worn from the neck. The Cross is worn as a medal on the left hand breast suspended from the ribbon of Cross and is silver for the 3rd and 4th classes and gold for the 1st and 2nd the ribbons of the 3rd and 1st Classes are also decorated with a bow to distinguish them from the 4th and 2nd classes. In 1917 the Provisional Government opened the award to junior officers and in 1918 to senior officer with the same requirements as for non commissioned officers and soldiers. For such awards a silver laurel is attached to the ribbon of the cross.
Should a soldier receive all four classes of the Cross they are further awarded the title of full Cavalier of the Cross of St. George. A personal title equivalent in many ways to a form of knighthood. It is rare, for obvious reasons, though the World War and Russian Civil war provided ample opportunity for those who wished to try and earn it. The title itself carries no particular privileges or additional decorations, but it is a source of respect given to those who hold it. Even senior officers are expected to acknowledge such men with a salute, though they almost certainly outrank them.
There are several thousand holders of this title, most dating from the devastating wars so recent in Russian memory. Many of their holders are still relatively young men, though some are now approaching middle age. A testament to the turmoil of years past; and to those who not only survived, but protected and inspired those around them through those terrible years.
Type
Civic, Military, Generic
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