Supreme Council of the USSR, Statute on the Rank of Hero of Socialist Labor. December 27, 1938
Original Source: Izvestiia, 28 December 1938.
1. The rank of Hero of Socialist Labor represents the highest grade of distinction in the sphere of economic and cultural construction, and is awarded to persons who by their specially distinguished pioneer work in the sphere of industry, agriculture, transport, trade, scientific discovery and technical invention have rendered exceptional service to the State, promoted the progress of the national economy, culture, science and the growth of the power and glory of the USSR
2. The rank of Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR
3. The Hero of Socialist Labor is awarded:
(a) the highest award in the USSR – the Order of Lenin.
(b) a special diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR.
4. The Order of Lenin received simultaneously with the rank of Hero of Socialist Labor entitles the recipient to a cash bonus amounting to twice his wages.
5. The Hero of Socialist Labor is entitled to the rights and privileges stipulated in Articles 10-16 of the General Statute of Orders of the USSR (Code of Laws of the USSR, No. 24, Art. 220-b).
6. The Hero of Socialist Labor may be deprived of his rank only by order of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR
President of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR.
(Signed) M. Kalinin.
Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR.
(Signed) A. Gorkyn.
Source: “Soviet Legislation,” The Slavonic (and East European) Review, Vol. XVII, No. 51 (April, 1939), pp. 699-700.