The Medal of Nesterov (Russian: Медаль «Нестерова») is a state decoration of the Russian Federation named in honour of Pyotr Nikolayevich Nesterov, an early pioneer of Russian military aviation and World War I fighter pilot.
| Medal of Nesterov | |
|---|---|
 Medal of Nesterov (obverse) | |
| Type | State Decoration |
| Awarded for | Aerial Excellence or Courage |
| Presented by |  Russian Federation |
| Eligibility | Military and civilian aircrew |
| Status | Active |
| Established | March 2, 1994[1] |
| First awarded | 1995 |
 Ribbon of the Medal of Nesterov | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Medal of Zhukov |
| Next (lower) | Medal of Pushkin |
Award History
editThe Medal of Nesterov was established to fill a gap in the Russian Federation award system following the formation of an independent Russian Air Force. It is the aviation equivalent of the naval Medal of Ushakov and the Medal of Suvorov for ground troops.
It was established by Presidential Decree № 442 of March 2, 1994[1] and first awarded the following year. Its statute was amended on two occasions, by presidential decrees № 19 of January 6, 1999,[2] and № 1099 of September 7, 2010.[3]
Award Statute
editThe Medal of Nesterov is awarded to soldiers of the Air Force, of other air arms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and to troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, to aircrews of civil aviation and of the aviation industry for bravery and personal courage displayed in defending the Fatherland and state interests of the Russian Federation, during the performance of combat duties, in exercises and manoeuvres; for excellent performance in combat training and in maintaining readiness of aerial assets, for special merit in the development, operation and maintenance of aircraft, professional excellence in piloting skills, for excellent performance in combat training and air combat training.[4]
The Medal of Nesterov is to be worn on the left breast with other medals immediately after the Medal of Zhukov.[5]
Award Description
edit
The Medal of Nesterov is a 32mm diameter circular silver medal with a raised rim on both the obverse and reverse. On the obverse is the forward-facing bust of Pyotr Nesterov in military uniform wearing tunic, peaked cap and medals, over two laurel branches. Above his head, the inscription in relief "PETER NESTEROV" (Russian: «ПЕТР НЕСТЕРОВ»). On the reverse, in the upper half, a triple crowned, double-headed eagle with its wings spread out horizontally clutching in its talons a propeller crossing a sword under a flaming grenade. In the lower half, a letter "N" with an horizontal line reserved for the award serial number. Below the line, a maker's mark.[4]
The medal hangs from a standard Russian pentagonal mount from a ring though the medal's suspension loop. The mount is covered with an overlapping 24mm wide blue silk moiré ribbon with 3mm yellow edge stripes.[4]
Numbers Awarded
editNumbers of the Medal of Nesterov awarded to date:[6]
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 33 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 146 |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 No 442" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of January 6, 1999 No 19" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 7, 2010 No 1099" (in Russian). Russian Gazette. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ a b c "Statute of the Medal of Nesterov" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 16, 2011 No 1631" (in Russian). Russian Gazette. 2011-12-16. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ Based on information from the site of the President of the Russian Federation and the legal systems of reference, "Consultant", "Guarantor", the "Code"