Medal for Gallantry and Merit for Members of the Eastern Peoples

Medal for Gallantry and Merit for Members of the Eastern Peoples (German: Tapferkeits und Verdienstauszeichnung für Ostvölker) was a military and paramilitary award of Nazi Germany.

Established on 14 July 1942, it was bestowed on personnel from the former Soviet Union (Ostvolk in German, literally "Eastern people"), who volunteered to fight alongside German forces.

[2] The Ostvolk medal features an octagonal (eight pointed) star with a plant pattern in the centre.

In 1957 the Eastern People's Medal was among the World War II decorations re-authorised for wear by the Federal Republic of Germany.

While many awards were re-designed to remove the swastika, the original Eastern People's Medal could be worn unaltered as it did not bear this symbol.

Bronislav Kaminski wearing the 1st class of the award on his tunic below and to the left of the Iron Cross