The Medal "For Battle Merit" (Russian: Медаль «За боевые заслуги») was a Soviet military medal awarded for "combat action resulting in a military success", "courageous defense of the state borders", or "successful military and political training and preparation".

Quick Facts Type, Awarded for ...

Medal "For Battle Merit"
Medal "For Battle Merit" and its ribbon (obverse)
Type	Military medal
Awarded for	"Combat action resulting in a military success, courageous defense of the state borders, or successful military and political training and preparation"
Country	Soviet Union
Presented by	Soviet Union
Eligibility	Citizens of the Soviet Union
Status	No longer awarded
Established	October 17, 1938
Total	5,210,000
Ribbon of the Medal "For Battle Merit"
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Ushakov
Next (lower)	Medal of Nakhimov

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It was created on October 17, 1938 by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. Like the Medal "For Courage", its status was revised to prevent the medal from being given for years of service (a practice that was rampant in the USSR) rather than actual bravery during a battle. More than 5,210,000 medals were awarded between 1938 and 1991.

• Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union

• Great Soviet Encyclopedia
• Kolesnikov G.A. & Rozhkov A.M., Orders and medals of USSR, Moscow, Mil. lib., 1983.