Hero of Ukraine

Hero of Ukraine
Ukrainian Order of the State (left) and Order of the Gold Star
Awarded by the President of Ukraine
Type	National order
Eligibility	Citizens of Ukraine
Awarded for	"personal heroism and great labor achievements."
Status	Currently constituted
Grades (w/ post-nominals)	Order of the State Order of the Gold Star
Statistics
Established	23 August 1998
Total inductees	265
Precedence
Next (higher)	None
Next (lower)	Order of Liberty
Ribbon bar of the award

Hero of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Герой України, transliteration: Heroy Ukrayiny) is the highest state decoration that can be conferred upon an individual citizen by the Government of Ukraine.

The title was created in 1998 by President Leonid Kuchma, and currently has two classes of distinction: one for heroism and the other for achievement in labor. As of 25 August 2011 (2011 -08-25)^[update], the total number of awards is 265.

There has been controversy over some of the awards, including allegations that they have either been politically motivated or given to those undeserving of the award.

Creation

The origin of the "Hero of Ukraine" award can be traced to the highest decorations established in the USSR, of which Ukraine was a constituent republic: Hero of the Soviet Union, established on 16 April 1934, and the Hero of Socialist Labor, established on 27 December 1938. Most of the recipients of the former title received it for heroic military action (with Soviet cosmonauts being a notable exception), while those awarded the latter were recognized for their contributions to national economy and culture.^[1] The awards could be given to the same individual more than once, and only the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet could deprive a recipient of the award once given.^[2] After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, similar awards were created in the resulting independent countries,^[3][4] including Ukraine.

The title Hero of Ukraine was created on 23 August 1998 with Edict #944/98 by President Leonid Kuchma.^[5] Similar in structure to the titles issued by the Soviet Union, the title is awarded in two distinctions: "The Order of the Gold Star" and "The Order of the State". Unlike the Soviet awards, Ukrainian law allows a person to receive a title in each distinction only once, although the person may receive both levels in due course. This means that if a holder of the Order of the State performs a heroic action, he or she can be presented with the Order of the Gold Star. Vice versa, if labor achievements of a holder of the Order of the Gold Star are recognized to be of exceptional value to the nation, the recipient can be eligible to receive the Order of the State. Either of the distinctions can be presented posthumously, and a hero may only have his title removed by the president if they are convicted of a serious crime.^[6]

Design

Because of the two distinctions of the title, two different medals have been created by Ukrainian law. They have several common features – for example, both medals use a ribbon 45 mm (1.8 in) long and 28 mm (1.1 in) wide and are divided equally into two bands along its length, with a blue band on the left and a yellow band on the right, matching the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Connected to the ribbon is a suspension device joined to a medallion, both of which are made out of gold. On both medals, the name of each decoration and a serial number are engraved on the reverse side of the medallion.^[7]

Below the ribbon of the Order of the Gold Star, the golden suspension device contains an engraving of the trident, a small Coat of Arms of Ukraine. The medallion is shaped like a five-pointed star with the width of 35 mm (1.4 in) from one end to the other, and is set within a wreath of oak leaves. Inside the star, there are two smaller stars engraved inside it. In contrast, the medallion for the Order of the State has the trident of Prince Volodymyr of Kiev (St. Vladimir) placed on top of a wreath of oak leaves. The size of the medallion is 35 mm (1.4 in) high and 36 mm (1.4 in) wide. There is no special design or symbol engraved on the suspension device.^[8] In addition to the formal award, recipients of either level are given a wearer's copy for use in public. Only one design of the wearer's copy exists, being modeled after the Soviet hero medal with the red ribbon replaced by a blue and yellow ribbon. The trident, which is used on the coat of arms of Ukraine, is placed in the middle of the star. This medal is made out of non-precious metals and it is worn on the wearer's left-hand side above all other decorations.^[9]

Regulations

Two different regulations were issued by President Kuchma: the edict of 1998 and a new edict in 2002.^[5][10] The edict of 2002 voided the edict of 1998, being issued after the law of Ukraine on state awards^[11] confirmed the status of the title in 2000.

The 1998 edict contained general guidelines about the title. Some of the subjects mentioned were the criteria for receiving each level of the title, who can present the title, and how the medal should be displayed in public. The decree specified the title as being awarded to citizens of Ukraine for heroism and labor achievements. It stipulated that only the president could award the title, though certain other bodies of the Ukrainian Government could recommend people to receive it. The edict also allowed for special benefits, including increased pay, social security, and health care, which heroes could use until their death. The decree also covered the topics of duplicate medals and the display, ownership and storage of the insignia.^[5]

The new 2002 regulations differ only slightly from the original ones. The designs of the medals were not changed, the new edict introduced the measurements of the miniature medal, or the "wearer's copy". Article 4 outlines the details on the ownership of the insignia and special procedures for the medals to be displayed in museums.^[10]

Display

The medal that is presented with the title is always worn on the left side of a business or suit jacket and is worn above any other medals and decorations awarded by Ukraine. If a person has been awarded both levels of the title, the Order of the Gold Star medal is placed to the right of the Order of the State medal. A copy of the medal, made out of non-precious metals, can be presented to the hero for daily wear. If wearing the medal is not permitted, a ribbon bar measuring 12 mm (0.47 in) x 18 mm (0.71 in) can be worn in its place. Another copy of the decoration, called the miniature badge, is worn above the ribbon bars on the left side of the uniform.^[10]

Procedure

In order for a person to be awarded the title, a recommendation must be made to the President by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament of Ukraine), the Cabinet of Ukraine (Government of Ukraine), the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Higher Economic Court, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, ministries and other central executive authorities, the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, oblast, Kyiv and Sevastopol city state administrations, as well as Commission on state awards and heraldry of the President of Ukraine.^[10]

The recommendations are then sent to the President for consideration, along with a package composed of the details of the nominee's deeds and the recommendations that have been filed on his or her behalf. If the President agrees with the recommendation, he will issue a decree to award the person the title, which includes receiving a medal, miniature badge and certificate at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Kiev.^{[citation needed]}

Recipients

Main article: List of heroes of Ukraine

Vitali Klitschko

The recipients of the Hero of Ukraine title were given the award for a variety of accomplishments. The first to receive the title — in 1998 – was Borys Paton. He is recognised for studies in metallurgy of electrical welding and has been President of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine since 1962.^[12] Other science-related honors were given to Platon Kostyuk, for his work in neurophysiology,^[13] and Valerii Kazakov for his work in medicine,^[14] among many others.

The title is often awarded to athletes, and sports-related personalities. Vitali Klitschko, a heavyweight boxing champion was given the level "Order of the Gold Star" in 2004.^[15] Andriy Shevchenko, 2004 European Footballer of the Year and two time winner of the Serie A scoring title was awarded the "Order of the Gold Star" in 2004 as well.^[16] Valeriy Lobanovskyi, the former coach of the football club FC Dynamo Kyiv (Dinamo Kiev), died on 13 May 2002 in the hospital after he passed out during a game. He was awarded the title for "his years of service to Ukraine for the development of football inside the nation and also improving national prestige".^[17] Olympic medalists are also prominent winners. Yana Klochkova, for example, won gold medals in swimming at the Athens and Sydney Olympic Games. She was awarded the title in recognition of "Klochkova's outstanding services to Ukraine and her efforts to build up the country's reputation in the Olympic arena."^[18]

People involved in the arts and literature were given the award. Renowned Ukrainian composer, Oleksandr Bilash, was awarded in 2001 for 'outstanding personal contribution to the enrichment of the spiritual treasures of the Ukrainian people and many years of fruitful creative activity'.^[19] Sofia Rotaru, arguably the best-known popular singer from Ukraine in the former Soviet Union, "for outstanding personal merits in the sphere of art".^[20] Writer Pavlo Zahrebelnyi , for "self-sacrifice for Ukraine, and for many years of writing and significant personal contributions toward the enrichment of the national spiritual treasury" in 2004.^[21] Writers involved in politics are not excluded either; Georgiy Gongadze a journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in 2000, was awarded in 2005.^[22]

Controversial awards

There have been allegations that some members of Kuchma's inner circle, mainly Viktor Medvedchuk, may have masterminded inappropriate awards of Ukrainian decorations and titles, including the Hero of Ukraine title. Police, according to the Associated Press, sent summons to Medvedchuk on 15 July 2005, inviting him for questioning about these awards.^[23] Kuchma and Medvedchuk were also questioned on Aleksandr Bartenev's Hero of Ukraine title. Bartenev, known also as "Major", an alleged gangster, is currently facing legal charges in Ukraine.^[24]

The decision to give the award to Stepan Bandera was met with controversy, and it was later revoked.

Due to these problems, President Viktor Yushchenko agreed to stop awarding state decorations starting in June 2005 until further notice. This move was announced by Ivan Vasiunyk, the First Deputy Secretary of State, and backed by Ukraine's Commission for Decorations and Heraldry. According to Vasiunyk, forty one people were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2004, with some of the awards being presented during the election period. Vasiunyk said that "I don't think you know a third of these names", referring to those who were presented with the hero title in that year. The Commission agreed not to strip anyone of their decorations, unless Ukrainian law would permit them to do so.^[25] Despite the announcement of suspension in giving out awards, two posthumous titles were awarded in July 2005 to Oles Honchar and Vadym Hetman.

The decision by Yushchenko, in his last days in office, to award World War II Ukrainian nationalist and accused Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera with the Hero of Ukraine caused an uproar in Russia, Poland and other countries, including Ukraine. It was condemned by the Simon Wiesenthal Center and other Jewish groups around the world, Polish President Lech Kaczyński, the Russian Foreign Ministry, Soviet Army veteran groups, and prominent Ukrainian politicians such as Sergei Tigipko and Konstantin Zarudnev.^[26][27][28] Zarudnev, a MP representing Sevastopol, went as far as burning his Ukrainian passport in protest.^[29] On the other hand the decree that had given Bandera the award was applauded by Ukrainian nationalists in western Ukraine and by a number of Ukrainian-Americans.^[30][31]

A district administrative court in Donetsk, Ukraine cancelled the presidential decree on 2 April 2010, that had granted the Hero of Ukraine title to Bandera. Lawyer Vladimir Olentsevych argued in a lawsuit that the title of Hero of Ukraine is the highest state award which is granted exclusively to citizens of Ukraine. Bandera was not a Ukrainian citizen, as he was in exile after World War II, and was murdered in 1959 in Germany before the 1991 Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine.^[32] For the same reasons the Donetsk Administrative Court of Appeals on 21 April 2010 declared unlawful a former Ukrainian President Yuschenko decree of 12 October 2007 to award the Hero of Ukraine title to Roman Shukhevych, the commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.^[33]

On 12 August 2010 the High Administrative Court of Ukraine dismissed suits to declare four decrees by President Viktor Yanukovych on awarding the Hero of Ukraine title to Soviet soldiers illegal and cancel them.^[34] The filer of these suits stated they were based on the same arguments used by Donetsk Administrative Court of Appeals that on 21 April satisfied an appeal that deprived Roman Shukhevych the Hero of Ukraine title, as Shukhevych was not a citizen of Ukraine.^[34]

References

1. ^ Prokhorov, Aleksandr Mikhaĭlovich (1982). Great Soviet Encyclopedia. 6. New York: Macmillan. p. 594. OCLC 810278. 
2. ^ Paul D. McDaniel Jr., Paul J. Schmitt (1997). The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals. Historical Research Llc. ISBN 0965628906. ^{[page needed]}
3. ^ "On State Awards of the Republic of Belarus" (in Russian). http://bankzakonov.com. Bank Zakonov. http://bankzakonov.com/republic_pravo_by_2010/blockc2/rtf-u5u8n7.htm. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
4. ^ "Государственные награды России: Из Конституции Российской Федерации" (in Russian). http://award.adm.gov.ru/kons/kons_1.htm. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Указ Президента України № 944/98 від 23 серпня 1998 року «Про встановлення відзнаки Президента України “Герой України”» (Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 944/98 On the Institution of the Award of the President of Ukraine, The Hero of Ukraine)". Official web-site of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 23 August 1998. http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=944/98. Retrieved 20 November 2011. (Ukrainian)
6. ^ "The Law of Ukraine On the State Awards of Ukraine". Laws of Ukraine. Yaroslav the Wise Institute of Legal Information. http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/anot.cgi?nreg=1549-14. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
7. ^ "Hero of Ukraine". Ukraine Ministry of Defense. 23 August 1998. http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=decoration&sub=1. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
8. ^ "The title "Hero of Ukraine"" (in Russian). Official Website of President of Ukraine. Presidential Administration. http://www.president.gov.ua/ru/content/awards_hero.html. Retrieved 15 October 2011. 
9. ^ "AP photo of the wearer's copy of the medal". Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080308211850/http://dancor.sumy.ua/articles_img/2167_1.jpg. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
10. ^ ^{a b c d} "Указ Президента України № 1114/2002 від 2 грудня 2002 року «Про звання Герой України» (Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 1114/2002 On the title Hero of Ukraine)". Official web-site of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 2 December 2002. http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=1114/2002. Retrieved 19 November 2011. (Ukrainian)
11. ^ "Law of Ukraine on state awards of 2000". Zakon.rada.gov.ua. http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=1549%2D14. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
12. ^ "Paton being mentioned as the first Hero of Ukraine". Ukrainianstudies.org. 26 August 2002. http://www.ukrainianstudies.org/aaus-list/0208/msg00044.html. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
13. ^ President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko (16 May 2007). "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 409/2007 (Edict of the President of Ukaine No. 409/2007)". Official website of the President of Ukraine. Presidential Administration. http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6126.html. Retrieved 21 November 2011. (Ukrainian)
14. ^ President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko (14 January 2008). "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 15/2008 (Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 15/2008)". Official website of the President of Ukraine. Presidential Administration. http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/7283.html. Retrieved 21 November 2011. (Ukrainian)
15. ^ "Vitali Klitschko being awarded the title". Boxnews.com.ua. http://www.boxnews.com.ua/news.php?id=1023. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
16. ^ "Article on Andrei Shevchenko receiving the title". Dancor.sumy.ua. http://dancor.sumy.ua/articles/2167.htm. Retrieved 17 March 2010.  and "Article on Andrei Shevchenko receiving the title". Ukraineinfo.us. http://www.ukraineinfo.us/news/news/041231-06.html. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
17. ^ "Pravda article on Lobnovsky's funeral". English.pravda.ru. http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/05/16/28808.html. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
18. ^ "Указ Президента України № 916/2004 від 18 серпня 2004 року «Про присвоєння Я. Клочковій звання Герой України» (Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 916/2004)". Official web-site of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 18 August 2004. http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=916/2004. Retrieved 20 November 2011. (Ukrainian)
19. ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 157/2001 Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 157/2001 – official government website of the Laws of Ukraine. Retrieved 21 November 2011.(Ukrainian)
20. ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 691/2002 Edict of the President of Ukraine No. 691/2002 – official government website of the Laws of Ukraine. Retrieved 21 November 2011.(Ukrainian)
21. ^ "Article on Pavlo Zagrebelny receiving the title". Ukrnow.com. http://www.ukrnow.com/content/view/506/2. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
22. ^ President Viktor Yushchenko signs Decree to confer title of Hero of Ukraine on G. Gongadze, Government of Ukraine (25 August 2005). Retrieved 21 November 2011.
23. ^ "Police summon Medvedchhuk for questioning". Kyiv Post. 15 July 2005. http://www.kyivpost.com/news/business/bus_general/detail/22950/. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
24. ^ "18 April 2005 press release from the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia". Home.uninet.ee. 22 April 2005. http://home.uninet.ee/~embkura/Press-72.htm. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
25. ^ "27 May 2005 press release from the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia". Home.uninet.ee. http://home.uninet.ee/~embkura/Press-94.htm. Retrieved 17 March 2010. 
26. ^ Karmanau, Yuras (29 January 2010). "Wiesenthal slams Ukraine award to nationalist". www.boston.com. Boston Globe/Associated Press. http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/01/29/wiesenthal_slams_ukraine_award_to_nationalist/. Retrieved 20 November 2011. 
27. ^ "Polish president condemns Ukrainian nationalist leader's heroization". RIA Novosti. 5 February 2010. http://en.rian.ru/world/20100205/157776510.html. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
28. ^ "Tihipko: Yushchenko made mistake by awarding Ukraine top medal to WWII nationalist leader Stepan Bandera". ZIK. 30 January 2010. http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2010/01/30/214592. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
29. ^ "Ukraine MP burns passport in protest against Bandera heroization". RIA Novosti. 24 January 2010. http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100124/157670676.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
30. ^ Analysis: Ukraine leader struggles to handle Bandera legacy, Kyiv Post (13 April 2010). Retrieved 21 November 2011.
31. ^ Ukrainians in New York take to streets to protest Russian fleet, Kyiv Post (6 May 2010). Retrieved 21 November 2011.
32. ^ Ukraine court strips Bandera of Hero of Ukraine title, Top RBC (2 April 2010). Retrieved 21 November 2011. (Russian)
33. ^ Donetsk court deprives Shukhevych of Ukrainian hero title, Kyiv Post (21 April 2010). Retrieved 21 November 2011.
34. ^ ^{a b} High Administrative Court dismisses appeals against illegal award of Hero of Ukraine title to Soviet soldiers, Kyiv Post (13 August 2010). Retrieved 21 November 2011.

External links

• Ukrainian National Award – "Hero of Ukraine" at the official website of the President of Ukraine. in Ukrainian, in Russian
• Ribbon bars for various state decorations page on the official site of the President (Ukrainian)