The order was founded by Josip Broz Tito's main Headquarters on 15 August 1943.

It was awarded for "outstanding contribution in organizing and directing the uprising and the creation and development of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia".

The insignia of the order was designed by Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić in 1945.

[4] In 1945, the Soviet-produced insignia was abandoned for the new design by sculptor Antun Augustinčić.

[3] Beside persons, the order was awarded to numerous military units[2][45][46][47] and institutions of the Yugoslav People's Army, a ship,[48] a newspaper,[49] and to the island of Vis.