Following the 1949 establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the new state prohibited the wearing of all pre-1945 German decorations and created a new system of awards inspired in part by those of the USSR.
After German reunification in 1990, former soldiers of the East German military (which had been called the Nationale Volksarmee or NVA) transferring into the new unified German military (called the Bundeswehr) could wear NVA awards. However, the list of Bundeswehr-approved East German decorations was limited and fell under regulations for "foreign" decorations. Awards associated with some East German state agencies or Communist organizations were considered to be in breach of public order and not allowed to be worn. Those included decorations issued by the Ministry for State Security, Border Troops, , Combat Groups of the Working Class, GST and the FDJ.
In total, there were 142 East German state decorations and medals and over 10.000 by non-state mass organisations. Every GDR citizen received on average ten awards in their lifetime. The inflationary use of awards increased from the 1970s onwards, and most even mid-level Socialist Unity Party functionaries receiving multiple variants of the same award.
Honorary titles
AwardRibbonbarName (English/German)Date ofcreationDescriptionHero of the GDR28 October 1975Awarded for heroic feats in service to the East German state and society.Hero of Labour19 April 1950()16 December 1969Awarded for outstanding contributions to the protection of the state from foreign intelligence servicesMeritorious Military Pilot of the GDR ()1 August 1974()15 June 1966The medal was awarded in a single class for special achievements and personal dedication in the protection of the GDR. Also, for exemplary initiative that have contributed to increasing public safety and order.()14 November 1975The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and merit leading to an increase in combat readiness and effectiveness.()14 November 1975The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and merit leading.()25 October 1977The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements and special merit over many years of exemplary duty fulfillment of duties in increasing operational readiness.()1 November 1953The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding improvements in production, in technology or in occupational safety.Honoured Doctor of the People()31 March 1949The medal was awarded for significant and outstanding achievements in scientific research, in medical practice, in the organization of health protection, in teaching at universities and in medical colleges and in the training of the medical cadre.
State prizes
AwardRibbonbarName (English/German)Date ofcreationDescription National Prize of East Germany1949Awarded for scientific, artistic, and other meritorious achievement.Heinrich Greif Prize1951Awarded for contribution to the state cinema and television industry.1954Awarded for outstanding work in the field of the stage and the arts.1955Awarded for outstanding new creations or artistic interpretations.Heinrich Heine Prize1956Awarded for outstanding lyrical works and works of literary journalism.1956Awarded for the Arts, Literature and Artistic Folk Creations.Johannes R. Becher Medal1961Awarded for the development of "socialist national culture in the GDR".Johannes-R.-Becher-MedailleArt Prize of the German Democratic Republic1959Awarded for outstanding creative and interpretive achievements in visual arts, applied arts, cinema, television, radio and entertainment.1960Awarded for special achievements in the field of medical literature, medical technology and medical production.1961Awarded for scientific achievements in the field of sports science and sports medicine. 1970Awarded in 3 classes for outstanding scientific and organizational achievements to strengthen national defense.1970Awarded for outstanding achievements in the creation or interpretation of works of art that contribute to strengthening the defense forces of the GDR.1976Awarded for achievements in the field of architecture.1978Awarded for significant contribution in increasing economic productivity.1978Awarded for the promotion of the German language and German studies abroad.
State orders
AwardRibbonbarName (English/German)Date ofcreationDescription Order of Karl Marx5 May 1953Awarded for exceptional merit in relation to ideology, culture, economy, and other designations. Additionally, citizens of other countries could also be awarded the order. Patriotic Order of Merit21 May 1954Awarded for special services to the state and to society
Banner of Labour4 August 1954Awarded for outstanding achievements over many years which stabilised and strengthened the country, and in particular for high results in work in the national economy. Star of People's Friendship20 August 1959Awarded for exceptional merit in contributing to the "understanding and friendship between nations and preservation of peace". Blücher Order13 October 1965Awarded for valour in time of war (never awarded).Scharnhorst Order17 February 1966Awarded for major contributions to the improvement principles of ideology of the GDR17 February 1966The medal was awarded in three classes: Bronze Silver Gold
State medals
Military and para-military decorations
AwardRibbonbarName (English/German)Date ofcreationDescription()1 June 1949The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements, for personal bravery and selfless dedication.()10 February 1983The medal was awarded in a single class for exemplary performances in ensuring fire protection, for great bravery in fighting fires in the protection of the lives of citizens of the GDR, in preventing major damage, for significant results in the development of fire protection in the GDR, for international cooperation of bodies of fire protection.Medal for Exemplary Border Service()28 May 1954The medal was awarded in a single class for exemplary performance and personal commitment in securing the state border of the GDR()4 June 1959The medal was awarded in a single class for excellent performance of tasks, in particular in the strengthening and consolidation of the GDR.()6 October 1965The medal was awarded in a single class for special merit in the deployment, development and consolidation of combat groups, for excellent performance in leadership and training, for the care and maintenance of equipment and armament.()24 August 1968The medal was awarded in a single class for outstanding achievements as well as personal bravery and selfless dedication in the fulfillment of fire protection duties in the safeguarding of the national economy as well as the life, health and protection of the personal property of the citizens of the GDR. Medal of Merit of the National People's Army()1 June 1956The medal was awarded in three classes for outstanding merit and personal readiness in support of increases in combat capabilities and readiness of the National People's Army: Bronze Silver Gold()15 June 1966The medal was awarded in three classes for merit and personal commitment in increasing public order and security; for the protection of the structure of socialism in the GDR and the consolidation of the German People's Police and the Ministry of the Interior: Bronze Silver Gold()25 October 1977The medal was awarded in 3 classes for outstanding achievements and personal dedication in maintaining the security of the borders of the GDR. Also for political and military leadership as well as for education and training. Bronze Silver Gold()25 September 1961The medal was awarded in three classes for faithful fulfillment of duties and recognition of exemplary achievements in the ranks of the combat groups of the GDR: Bronze Silver Gold()12 May 1967The medal was awarded in three classes to individuals or collectives of the GDR or other socialist states, for services in fulfilling duties in the customs administration that contributed to strengthening and securing the GDR: Bronze Silver Gold()16 September 1970The medal was awarded in three classes to members and collectives of the Civil Defense of the GDR, to citizens of the GDR as well as to foreign nationals of socialist brother states, companies and institutions; for special merit in increasing the operational readiness, the education and training, the maintenance of and development of technical equipment of civil defense: Bronze Silver GoldMedal Brotherhood in Arms()17 February 1966The medal was awarded in three classes for achievements and merit in the consolidation of the relationships between the fraternal socialist armies and the development of mutual cooperation: Bronze Silver Gold()28 April 1954The medal was awarded in a single class for 5 years of honest, conscientious and faithful service in the armed organs of the GDR. It was replaced by the Medal For Faithful Service in the National People’s Army in 1956.Medal For Faithful Service in the National People’s Army()1 June 1956The medal was awarded in four classes: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold) with colored flags on the medal and Roman numerals XX on the ribbon()25 October 1977The medal was awarded in four classes: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold) with colored flags on the medal and Roman numerals XX on the ribbon()25 October 1977The medal was awarded to personnel of the Civil Defense in four classes: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold) with Roman numerals XX on the ribbon()22 January 1959The medal was awarded in six classes: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold) 25 years service (gold) 30 years service (gold)()12 May 1967The medal was awarded in six classes to all employees of the customs administration upon reaching a fixed, uninterrupted period of honest, conscientious and faithful service: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold + 1 oak leaf) 25 years service (gold + 2 oak leaves) 30 years service (gold + 3 oak leaves)()6 October 1965The medal was awarded in four classes: 5 years service (bronze) 10 years service (silver) 15 years service (gold) 20 years service (gold) with gold circular ribbon device (post 1978)()25 October 1977The medal was awarded in three classes to volunteers: 10 years service (bronze) 20 years service (silver) 30 years service (gold)
Civilian decorations