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Meritorious Military Pilot of the German Democratic Republic

Meritorious Military Pilot of the GDR () was the highest honorary title awarded to military pilots of the East German National People's Army. It was given in the form of a medal. Established on August 1, 1974, by the Council of Ministers of the GDR, it was awarded until the dissolution of the GDR in 1990.

Award criteria

The honorary title could be awarded for:

  • Distinguished performance of military pilot compared with:
  • Outstanding results in the political and military adjunction as well as
  • Outstanding results as to the development of the NPA combat readiness
  • Military pilot's performance level: Class I
  • No aviation accidents or incidents

The number of awarded people was limited to 10 military pilots per year.

Medal description

The medal is gold-colored, has the shape of an irregular vertically symmetrical pentagon standing on its tip, and is 31.5 mm wide by 41.5 mm tall. On the lower tip is a colorfully-enameled aircraft roundel of the National People's Army.

The biggest part of the medal is occupied by a MiG-23 or MiG-21 taking off steeply, behind which are sunrays emanating from the roundel. Left of the aircraft is a laurel bough, and right of it is the oblique wording .

The reverse side of the medal is empty and glossy.

Different versions have been issued:

  • 1974–1976: Medal from nonferrous metal gold colored, varnished, size with arched eye 40.5 ÃƒÂ— 30 mm, reverse glossy. Medal on small medal bar 14 ÃƒÂ— 25 mm.
  • 1976–1989: ditto varnished, medal with round eye, on pentagon bar with gibbon bar 14 ÃƒÂ— 25 mm, reverse glossy, ditto brass-plated, with reverse ornamented.

Wear

The medal was worn on the left breast suspended from a sky blue ribbon of 25 ÃƒÂ— 14 mm size in the pentagonal shape that was standard in the Soviet armed forces and thus also used by East Germany. The ribbon bar was the same color as the medal ribbon, and also featured a miniature, all gold colored version of the NPA roundel.

Recipients (complete list)

The individuals below were recipients of the honorary title of "Honoured Military Pilot of the GDR".

References

  • Frank Bartel, Auszeichnungen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, Berlin 1979
  • Auszeichnungen der Nationalen Volksarmee, Berlin 1994
  • Orden und Medaillen - Auszeichnungen der DDR, Leipzig 1983

See also