Герои Советского Союза

Short biographical dictionary in 2 volumes. USSR Ministry of Defense

This two-volume edition of the Dictionary introduces readers to brief biographies of the Heroes of the Soviet Union. This is the first work of its kind based on documentary sources. The work was developed by the Main Directorate of Personnel and the Institute of Military History of the USSR Ministry of Defense. It widely used documents and materials of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Central Archive of the USSR Ministry of Defense, the Central State Archive of the Soviet Army and the Central Naval Archive. The selection of photographs was carried out by the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the USSR. A great contribution to the creation of labor was made by personnel bodies of the branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the armed forces, and other organizations and institutions. The team of authors also used numerous historical-documentary and artistic-journalistic literature telling about the life and exploits of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, published in the republics, territories, regions. The materials of the periodical press, articles of the Heroes of the Soviet Union themselves were studied. Where necessary, previously published data were clarified if they differed from documentary sources and materials. In order to more fully authenticate the biographies included in the work, the editorial board involved the regional, regional, city and district military commissariats in their verification and clarification. Assistance was also provided by local party bodies and the Soviets of People's Deputies. In many cases, there was a need for personal contacts, correspondence with the Heroes of the Soviet Union, their relatives and friends. The editorial board hopes that this publication will contribute to a deeper study of the heroic pages of the history of our Motherland, revealing the valor and courage of the people building socialism and communism..