Medal "For Participation in the Military Victory Day Parade"

[FDutil]

Medal "For Participation in the Military Victory Day Parade"

Instituted by ministerial order 130 of 26 February 2010, a new Defense Ministry medal.

[megan]

A medal for going on parade?

Whatever next? One for shining one's boots, perhaps?

Seriously, thanks for the update.

[FDutil]

I must admit I share your view on this one... It completely took me by surprise! Especially after the Defense Minister refused to sign the order instituting a commemorative medal to denote the 50th anniversary of Strategic Rocket Forces... Just doesn't make much sense...

[FDutil]

U.S. troops being presented the medal in Moscow prior to the 2010 parade.


U.S. troops parading on Red Square wearing their new Russian medal.

[FDutil]

British troops being presented with their medal prior to the 2010 parade.


British troops NOT wearing them on parade in Moscow... Company commander a bit of a stickler for regs?

[FDutil]

The French parading on Red Square (2010) and wearing their new Russian medal.


The French sent the Normandie-Niemen fighter group (awesome choice!! Very historically "à propos"! Google it if necessary). I am quite surprised the British didn't send a squadron from 151 Wing which flew in Russia in 1941. Even if none of the original squadrons is still active (I don't really know), their legacy would've been passed on to another. It would've been most fitting!

[Ed_Haynes]

A nice post. Many thanks.

The truly bizarre scene of these foreign (ex-allied, ex-enemy) troops marching in Red Square should not be lost. Even in today's Russia. WOW. WOW indeed! (Did anyone record the THUD of Stalin turning over in his wall?)

Interesting that the US chose to wear these medals (a classy play, though I'd guess they'll never be allowed to do so again ) while the Brits rejected them (SLAP). Who else was there? The French, as I recall from the parade broadcast? What was their approach to the medals?

[FDutil]

Countries and units present:

-Poland, special parade battalion.
-France, Normandie-Niemen fighter group (awesome choice!! Google it if necessary)
-USA, 2nd battalion, 18th inf regiment.
-UK, Welsch Guards.
-Kazakhstan.
-Azerbaïdjan.
-Ukraine.
-Arménia.
-Moldavia.

A Turkmenistani officer paraded on a white stallion "à la Zhukov". Matter of fact, his horse is the great grand son of the stallion Zhukov rode during the 1945 parade! Link to the video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2w7eDxMxy8&feature=related

[FDutil]

I (finally) found the relevant ministerial order:

Awarded to military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and to foreign troops, military formations and bodies, for active participation in the preparation of personnel, of weapons and of military equipment for the military parade on Victory Day in Moscow, in other Hero cities, as well as in cities where military districts headquarters, fleets headquarters, combined forces headquarters as well as the Caspian Flotilla headquarters are located; for distinction during the military parade in Moscow, in other Hero cities, as well as in cities where military districts headquarters, fleets headquarters, combined forces headquarters as well as the Caspian Flotilla headquarters are located.

[Auke]

Nice-looking medal. Reminds me of the Umalatova 55 Years of Victory Medal.