"GVARDIA" BADGE

The "GVARDIA" badge was instituted on 21 May 1942 by order of Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the USSR at the same time with institution of gvardian ranks for soldiers and officers. (For example: when the unit got the gvardian title, soldier or officer got the "gvardian" tilte for his rank "gvardian sergant", "gvardian major", etc.)

The first units to get the "GVARDIA" title were: 100, 127, 153 and 161 infantry divisions for merit and courage in September of 1941. (Later they were renamed 1, 2, 3 and 4 Gvardian Infatry Divisions), first air unit was the 29 Redbanners Fighters Air Regiment, and first ship were the "Stoykiy" ("The Staunch One") destroyer and the cruiser "Krasniy Kavkaz" ("Red Caucasus"). This symbol had also been used by tanks and aircrafts crews for decoration of turrets and fuselages of units that hadgvardian ranks.

RussianLegacy.com is selling post-war versions of this badge, 100% authentic, made in the Soviet Union.