History

The I and II Class of Order of Kutuzov were established on July 29, 1942 by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The III Class was established on February 9, 1943 and has a separate statute. The order was designed by N.I. Moskalyov.

This Order was established as a high-ranking award for officers. It was named after the Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745-1813), who fought against Napoleon. The name was used to inspire Russian patriotism during the Second World War. Nearly all Orders of Kutuzov were conferred during the Second World War, however several were awarded for the 1956 invasion of Hungary.

The III Class medal was conferred upon regimental, battalion, and company commanders, as well as their executive officers, for a number of criteria, which were: for displaying initiative in conducting a sudden attack that results in heavy enemy losses; for the capture of an enemy stronghold with minimal losses; for the organization and conduct of a pursuit operation against an enemy; for the destruction of enemy communications; for developing a solid battle plan with a successful outcome. The III Class was awarded to 2,268 individuals and 1,060 units.

The Type II, III Class obverse is identical to the Type I, III Class. The reverse differs in that the small ring for the suspension has been removed and there is a silver screwpost soldered to the center. The Monetny Dvor mint mark is stamped in two lines below the screwpost. The lowest serial number observed is 1,121 and the highest is 7,717.

The obverse Russian inscription translates to: "Mikhail Kuzurov".

The III Class is the most commonly faked class, and are often very convincing. Ensure the decoration has sharp detail on Kutuzov's collar and overall sharpness to be original.