The Marshal's Star (Russian: маршальская звезда|marshalskaya zvezda) is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the Soviet Union, and subsequently the Russian Federation.
The armed forces of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insignia for higher military ranks, both in the form of a five-pointed star of gold and platinum with diamonds. They are worn around the neck when in parade uniform (originally under the collar of the parade tunic, since 1955 on top of the necktie). There are two different sizes of star available, with the official name, size and number of diamonds corresponding to the marshal's rank. Informally they are known as the "Large Marshal's Star" and the "Small Marshal's Star". The official names of the Marshal's Stars have changed over time, depending on which ranks received the right to wear them.
The Marshal's Stars correspond with the Western use of the marshal's baton. On the death of the recipient, the award is returned to the Diamond Fund for re-use.[1]
Marshal's Stars were first awarded to holders of the ranks Marshal of the Soviet Union and Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. In time, smaller stars were awarded to chief marshals of the branch, marshals of the branch, Army Generals and Fleet Admirals.[2]
It is a gold five-pointed star with smooth diagonal rays on the front side. In the center is a platinum, five-pointed star with diamonds. The diamonds in the center have a total weight of 2.62 carats and in the rays there are 25 diamonds weighing a total of 1.25 carats. Between the edges of rays are 5 diamonds weighing a total of 3.06 carats. The diameter of the gold star is 44.5mm and the platinum stars are 23mm in diameter. The star has a depth of 8mm.[2]
The Marshal's Star has a triangular eyelet in the upper beam which is connected to an oval eyelet measuring 14mm. The Marshal's Star is suspended by a 25mm moire ribbon. The total weight of the Large Marshal's Star is 36.8g. Approximately 200 of this type of Marshal's Star were produced.[2]
The Large Marshal's Star was the distinction insignia for OF10-ranks as follows:
In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Large Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for marshals of the Russian Federation from 1993 until 21 January 1997.
The decoration is a five-pointed gold star with smooth dihedral rays on the obverse. On top of the gold star there is a smaller five-pointed star made of platinum. In the center of the platinum star there is a 2.04-carat diamond. In the rays of platinum star there are twenty five 0.91-carat diamonds. The total diameter of the gold star is 42mm and it weighs 35.1g. It is connected to a moire ribbon in the same way as the large star.[2] About 370 Small Marshal's Stars have been produced.[2]
The "Small Marshal's Star" was the distinction insignia for OF9 ranks as follows:
There was no formal decree pertaining to use the Small Marshal's Star as distinction insignia to chief marshal of the branch ranks. However, after promotion from marshal of the branch to chief marshal of the branch the appropriate general officers continued to wear the Small Marshal's Star.
In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Small Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for the ranks general of the army and admiral of the fleet. It has been replaced by a cross.
A Marshal of the Soviet Unions star used a red satin ribbon suspension; ribbons for marshals of a branch varied accordingly: gold for artillery, light blue for aviation, burgundy for armoured troops, crimson for engineers, blue for signals, and turquoise for the navy.[2]