Soviet Origin
The Gold Star was established by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on August 1, 1939. Previously, a Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded the Order of Lenin and a special diploma (gramota, грамота) describing the heroic feat. The medal was introduced to distinguish these heroes from other Order of Lenin recipients.
The Gold Star was not normally issued for posthumous awards of the title "Hero of the Soviet Union".
The medal is a gold star hanging from a rectangular suspension device with a ribbon in the color(s) of the issuing state (red for the USSR, white/blue/red for the Russian Federation, blue/yellow for Ukraine, red/green for Belarus). It is worn on the left side of the chest above all other orders and medals.
Although it is described as a medal, it is actually a distinctive badge, worn apart and above any other orders and medals, and always in full.
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