Established 28 December 1988.
The order was awarded as a civilian order for personal bravery
displayed in saving lives, for courageous work during natural
disasters and for other outstanding deeds of personal courage.
By the end of 1991, the end of the USSR, the order had been awarded
only 529 times. Natalya Yefimova, a school teacher, was the first
person awarded the order (on February 3, 1989) who stayed with
her class during a hostage situation and saved the children.
