The awards (medals), commemorative medals, award flags, banners, certificates, and reward documents displayed in the "Merit and Honor" exhibition are the noble honors forged by the people's armed forces led by the Communist Party of China with their own blood and lives. They can witness and reflect the history of the military's combat and training, safeguarding peace, and building the nation from different perspectives.

The issuance of awards (medals), commemorative medals, award flags, banners, certificates, and reward documents by the People's Liberation Army of China began during the period of the Land Revolution War. With the continuous development and growth of the people's army during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War, the system of issuing awards (medals), commemorative medals, award flags, banners, certificates, and reward documents gradually matured and became more standardized. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the issuance of awards (medals), commemorative medals, award flags, banners, certificates, and reward documents by the People's Liberation Army of China continued to unify and improve, forming a system.

The "Merit and Honor" exhibition carefully selects and gathers various awards (medals), commemorative medals, and badges from the military museum's collection, totaling 223 sets and 254 pieces, 46 award flags and banners, 90 sets and 111 pieces of certificates and reward documents, along with over 50 precious historical photos related to the content. As one of the "red" series exhibitions of the military museum, the "Merit and Honor" exhibition aims to comprehensively promote the outstanding merits and unparalleled honors of the people's armed struggle under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, as well as the national defense and military construction of the new China, with a prominent theme; the exhibition focuses on various awards (medals), commemorative medals, and badges as the backbone, gathering precious historical images, various certificates and reward documents, award flags, and banners, with rich content. The exhibition plan strives to use the aforementioned historical artifacts and images to comprehensively showcase the history of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, especially the bloody struggle of the People's Liberation Army and the Chinese people to establish the new China, fully demonstrating the immortal achievements of the people's army led by the Communist Party of China to both domestic and foreign audiences, aiming to become an excellent and vivid teaching material for educating the vast youth in patriotism and revolutionary heroism.

Key Exhibits

Red Star Medal

After the "September 18 Incident" in 1931, the national crisis intensified. The Communist Party of China called for resistance against Japan and the salvation of the nation, fighting against Japan. However, Chiang Kai-shek insisted on the policy of "stabilizing the interior before resisting the exterior," intensifying the "encirclement and suppression" of the Red Army and various Soviet areas. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, and others, the Red Army in the Central Soviet Area and various Soviet areas continuously achieved victories in the anti-"encirclement and suppression" operations. To commend the Red Army commanders and fighters with special merits, on July 9, 1933, the Central Revolutionary Military Commission of the Chinese Soviet Republic issued the "Order on Formulating and Issuing the Red Star Medal."

The "Order" states: "In the progress of revolutionary war, every Red Army soldier, whose class political consciousness bravely engages in armed struggle against the enemy for the liberation of the workers and peasants, is certainly fulfilling his duty. However, considering their sacrifices for the entire workers and peasants' Soviet regime, those with special merits should be commended to show excellence and encourage future generations." The "Order" established three levels of the Red Star Medal: "First, those who have special merits in leading the progress of the entire or part of the revolutionary war; second, those who have achieved great victories by changing the situation in a certain battle; third, those who frequently demonstrate bravery and determination."

According to the suggestion of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission on June 30 to designate August 1, the date of the Nanchang Uprising, as the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, the temporary central government of the Chinese Soviet Republic approved the suggestion on July 11, stipulating that every year "August 1" would be the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, and decided to award battle flags to various Red Army regiments on that year's "August 1" anniversary, while also awarding the Red Star Medal to the responsible comrades who led the Nanchang Uprising and to commanders and fighters in the Red Army with special merits.

Zhou Enlai was not only a key leader of the Nanchang Uprising but also the main person responsible for military work in the Central Committee, making significant contributions to the creation and development of our army. To commend Zhou Enlai for his contributions to the creation and development of the Red Army, he was awarded the first-class Red Star Medal numbered 9 on August 1, 1933. After the establishment of the Chinese People's Revolutionary Military Museum in 1959, Zhou Enlai donated this first-class Red Star Medal, which he had treasured for 26 years, to the military museum.

Zhu De was not only a leader of the Nanchang Uprising but also made significant contributions to the construction of the Red Army and the command of the Red Army in crushing the enemy's "encirclement and suppression." To commend Zhu De for his contributions to the creation and development of the Red Army, he was awarded the first-class Red Star Medal numbered 6 on August 1, 1933. In 1959, after reviewing the exhibition at the Chinese People's Revolutionary Military Museum, Zhu De donated the first-class Red Star Medal he had received to the military museum.

The one-armed commander of the Red Army, Peng Shaohui, received the second-class Red Star Medal; Yang Dezhi, the commander of the 1st Regiment of the 1st Red Army Corps, received the third-class Red Star Medal.

Hundred Regiments Battle Medal

The Hundred Regiments Battle was the largest and longest battle that occurred between the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army in North China during the Chinese Anti-Japanese War. The Eighth Route Army's Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, the 129th and 120th Divisions launched a campaign focused on sabotaging the Zheng-Tai Railway (from Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan). On the third day of the campaign, the Eighth Route Army's participating troops reached 105 regiments, hence the name "Hundred Regiments Battle." The 386th Brigade of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army participated in the transportation sabotage battle, the Yu (She) Liao (County) battle, and the anti-"sweep" operations during the Hundred Regiments Battle. To commend the commanders and fighters who applied combat strategies during the Hundred Regiments Battle, a "Hundred Regiments Battle Medal" was specially produced and awarded.

Learning Hero Model Medal

In April 1942, in accordance with the directives of the Central Committee, the Central China Bureau and the New Fourth Army Headquarters issued a notice against subjectivism, sectarianism, and discussing central decisions. In July, the Central China Bureau and the Central China Military Committee made a decision on rectifying the style of work in various strategic units, requiring all units to seriously organize party members and cadres to study the 22 documents specified by the Central Committee according to the war environment and their own characteristics. The 4th Division of the New Fourth Army established a study committee, set up study branches in each brigade and regiment, formulated a rectification plan, and carried out a rectification movement throughout the division. To commend those who excelled in learning during the rectification movement, the 4th Division of the New Fourth Army produced and awarded the "Learning Hero" medal.

"Liu Laozhuang" Award Flag

On March 18, 1943, 82 commanders and fighters from the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 19th Regiment of the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Division of the New Fourth Army sacrificed their lives in a fierce battle at Liu Laozhuang to cover the transfer of the party and government organs and main forces in the Huaihai area, all of whom were heroically martyred. Later, the 7th Brigade of the New Fourth Army reformed this company, naming it the "Liu Laozhuang Company," and awarded it the "Liu Laozhuang" award flag.

Kill the Enemy and Achieve Merits Movement

In the spring of 1947, the Jinji-Luyu Military Region deeply mobilized for the campaign to kill enemies and achieve merit. On March 17, the Political Department of the military region issued "Introduction to Meritorious Experience," and troops across the military region formulated plans for killing enemies and achieving merit, sparking a mass competition for merit. Driven by the merit campaign in the troops, the people in the liberated areas also launched a campaign to join the army, participate in battles, and support production. During the merit campaign, party committees and party branches at all levels paid great attention. As long as troops, organizations, or individuals made outstanding contributions in a battle or a task, they could achieve merit. Many troops also created the work method of "recording and learning well," where good deeds were registered and praised on the same day, accumulating merit, with merit being evaluated and recorded immediately, timely congratulatory awards for merit, and sending merit reports home; experiences were shared promptly, and heroic models were introduced; timely inspections and summaries were conducted, and new plans and requirements were proposed. Thus, a broad mass movement of "everyone achieving merit, everything being recorded for merit, and everywhere achieving merit" was formed. In the merit campaign, the Jinji-Luyu Military Region and its affiliated military regions and divisions awarded hero medals, model work medals, and people's meritorious service medals to commend the heroic models who made outstanding contributions during the liberation war.

Huaihai Campaign Victory Commemorative Medal

From November 1948 to January 1949, the People's Liberation Army East China Field Army and the Central Plains Field Army, with the cooperation of the troops from the East China, Central Plains, and North China Military Regions, conducted a strategic decisive battle against the Kuomintang army's Xuzhou "Suppression Headquarters" in a vast area centered around Xuzhou, extending east to Haizhou in Jiangsu Province (now part of Lianyungang), west to Shangqiu in Henan Province, north to Lincheng in Shandong Province (now Xuecheng), and south to the Huai River. After 66 days of fighting, they annihilated and persuaded over 555,000 Kuomintang troops to defect, liberating a vast area north of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

After the victory of the Huaihai Campaign, to commend and encourage the commanders and fighters of the participating troops, in 1949, the East China Military Region and the East China Field Army (later renamed the 3rd Field Army) Command and Political Department issued the "Huaihai Campaign Commemorative Medal." The Central Plains People's Liberation Army (later renamed the 2nd Field Army) issued the "Huaihai Campaign Victory Commemorative Medal" in 1949.

Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign Victory Commemorative Medal

From the night of April 20 to June 2, 1949, the 2nd, 3rd, and part of the 4th Field Armies of the People's Liberation Army launched a strategic offensive against the Kuomintang army by crossing the Yangtze River in the middle and lower reaches. The Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign lasted 42 days, breaking through the Kuomintang army's Yangtze River defense line, annihilating over 430,000 Kuomintang troops, and liberating major cities such as Nanjing, Shanghai, and Wuhan, as well as the entire Jiangsu and Anhui provinces and most of Zhejiang Province, along with parts of Jiangxi, Hubei, and Fujian provinces. On April 21, 1949, the East China Military Region of the People's Liberation Army produced and issued the "Crossing the Yangtze Victory Commemorative Medal" to commend and encourage the commanders and fighters who participated in the Crossing the Yangtze Campaign.

Northeast Liberation Commemorative Medal

From September 12 to November 2, 1948, the Northeast Field Army conducted the Liaoshen Campaign. The campaign lasted 52 days, annihilating a Kuomintang "bandit suppression" headquarters, a command post, 4 corps headquarters, 11 army headquarters, 33 complete divisions, along with various special forces and local security teams, totaling over 470,000 troops, liberating the entire Northeast region. To commemorate the liberation of the Northeast and to commend the vast number of commanders and fighters who participated in the Liaoshen Campaign, in 1949, the Jirehlia Military Region issued the "Northeast Liberation Commemorative Medal."

Xinjiang Liberation Commemorative Medal

Under the political struggle and victorious advance of the People's Liberation Army, the Kuomintang army's Xinjiang garrison commander Tao Zhi-yue and provincial chairman Bao Erhan announced their defection on September 25 and 26, 1949, leading to the peaceful liberation of Xinjiang. On November 6, the command of the 1st Corps of the People's Liberation Army arrived in Dihua (now Urumqi). To celebrate the liberation of Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Liberation Commemorative Medal was produced and issued.

Hainan Island Liberation Commemorative Medal

From March 5 to May 1, 1950, the 15th Corps of the 4th Field Army, with the support of the Qiongya Column, conducted the Hainan Island Campaign. The People's Liberation Army primarily used wooden sailing boats, supplemented by motorized boats for crossing, and initially sent part of the troops, successfully crossing in four attempts with strong support from the Qiongya Column. On April 16, the main force crossed the Qiongzhou Strait, successfully landing with the support of the troops that crossed earlier, heavily damaging the Kuomintang garrison in northern Hainan, and quickly pursued southward. After more than ten days of fighting, over 30,000 Kuomintang troops were annihilated, and Hainan Island was liberated on May 1. To celebrate the liberation of Hainan Island and commend the commanders and fighters who participated in the Hainan Island Campaign, in 1950, the Central South Military Region and the 4th Field Army produced and issued the "Hainan Island Liberation Commemorative Medal."

Tibet Liberation Commemorative Medal

In January 1950, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission instructed the Southwest Bureau of the Central Committee to prepare for an advance into Tibet with part of the 2nd Field Army, in coordination with some troops from the Northwest Military Region. Following the instructions of the Central Committee, the Southwest Bureau prepared for military offensive while proposing a policy for the peaceful liberation of Tibet. However, the hardliners in the Tibetan authorities, under the instigation of imperialist elements, refused to negotiate and obstructed the entry of the People's Liberation Army into Tibet. In October, the 18th Army of the 2nd Field Army launched the Changdu Campaign, annihilating over 5,700 Tibetan troops and opening the gateway for the advance into Tibet, laying the foundation for the peaceful liberation of Tibet. Under the call of the Communist Party of China, the local Tibetan authorities sent representatives to Beijing for negotiations in April 1951. On May 23, the Central People's Government signed the "Agreement on the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" with the local Tibetan government. According to the agreement, the 18th Army and other troops advanced into Tibet from various routes. In October, the 18th Army arrived in Lhasa. On December 20, a celebration of the peaceful liberation of Tibet was held in Lhasa with representatives from the Central People's Government and the Tibetan local government negotiating delegation along with the troops that entered Tibet. On August 1, 1952, the Southwest Military Region produced and issued the "Tibet Liberation Commemorative Medal" to commemorate the liberation of Tibet and commend the commanders and fighters who advanced into Tibet.

"Jinan Hero Company" Award Flag

In the Jinan Campaign of 1948, a company of the 73rd Regiment of the 25th Division of the 9th Corps of the East China Field Army, known as the "Ever Victorious Company," was the first to blow open the southern city wall, creating a passage and making significant contributions to the victory of the Jinan Campaign. After the battle, the corps awarded the company the honorary title of "Jinan Hero Company" and presented the "Jinan Hero Company" award flag.

The Republic's Honor - The First Award Ceremony of the People's Republic of China

On February 12, 1955, the seventh meeting of the Standing Committee of the First National People's Congress passed the "Resolution on the Awarding of Medals to the Personnel of the Chinese People's Liberation Army for Meritorious Service during the Chinese People's Revolutionary War" and the "Regulations on the Awarding of Medals to the Personnel of the Chinese People's Liberation Army for Meritorious Service during the Chinese People's Revolutionary War" in accordance with Article 31, Item 14 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. The "Resolution" pointed out that the Chinese People's Liberation Army, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, bravely fought a long revolutionary war together with the people of the country, defeating the domestic and foreign counter-revolutionary armed forces, and achieving great victories in the people's revolution against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism: it has made outstanding contributions to the cause of the Chinese revolution and the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The "Resolution" stipulated that the August 1 Medal and the August 1 Commendation, the Independence and Freedom Medal and the Independence and Freedom Commendation, the Liberation Medal and the Liberation Commendation, would be awarded to the personnel of the Chinese People's Liberation Army who participated in the revolutionary wars during the Land Revolution War, the Anti-Japanese War, and the Liberation War, respectively.

On September 23, 1955, the 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the First National People's Congress, while passing the resolution to confer the rank of Marshal of the People's Republic of China, also passed the resolution to award medals to the personnel of the Chinese People's Liberation Army for meritorious service during the Chinese People's Revolutionary War, in accordance with the Regulations on the Awarding of Medals to the Personnel of the Chinese People's Liberation Army for Meritorious Service during the Chinese People's Revolutionary War. The meeting reviewed the first batch of names proposed by Premier Zhou Enlai to award the first-class August 1 Medal, the first-class Independence and Freedom Medal, and the first-class Liberation Medal to personnel for meritorious service during the People's Revolutionary War, deciding to award the first-class August 1 Medal to 131 people including Zhu De, the first-class Independence and Freedom Medal to 117 people including Zhu De, and the first-class Liberation Medal to 570 people including Zhu De. According to the decision of the meeting, Chairman Mao Zedong of the People's Republic of China issued the order of commendation on the same day.

A testament to the spirit of internationalism - the Gold Star Medal awarded to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

On June 30, 1950, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a decree awarding the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" and the Gold Star Medal to 12 members of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, including Peng Dehuai, Yang Gensi, Huang Jiguang, Yang Chunzheng, Sun Zhanyuan, Qiu Shaoyun, Yang Liandi, Hu Xiudao, Wu Xianhua, Yang Yucai, Li Jiafa, and Xu Jiapeng.

Huang Jiguang

Huang Jiguang was a communications soldier in a certain unit of the Volunteer Army, from Zhongjiang County, Sichuan Province. He joined the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in March 1951 and joined the Chinese New Democratic Youth League in July 1952. He was brave in battle and was awarded third-class merit once.

In October 1952, during the Battle of Shangganling in the Korean War, his battalion fought fiercely against the "United Nations Army" led by the US military and the South Korean army for four days and nights. On the night of the 19th, they were ordered to seize the 597.9 high ground on the west side of Shangganling. After the troops successively occupied positions 6.5 and 4, they were blocked at position O, and three consecutive demolition attempts were unsuccessful. As dawn approached, if the enemy's central firepower could not be quickly eliminated and position O could not be seized, the entire battle situation would be jeopardized. At this critical moment, Huang Jiguang stepped forward and requested to take on the demolition task, and was immediately appointed as the squad leader of the 6th squad. He led two soldiers to bravely and intelligently destroy several enemy fire points. One comrade unfortunately sacrificed his life, and another comrade was seriously injured, and his left arm was also shot through. At this time, the enemy's flares illuminated the position as bright as day, and several crossfire blocked the way forward. He showed no fear, endured the pain, and took advantage of the smoke from the grenade explosions to approach the enemy's central firepower point, throwing several grenades to force the enemy machine guns to stop firing. When the troops launched an attack, the remaining machine guns in the bunker suddenly fired wildly, blocking the attacking troops again. At this time, he was injured in multiple places and ran out of ammunition. For the victory of the battle, he stubbornly crawled towards the firepower point, and when he got close to the bunker shooting hole, he bravely pounced on it, using his chest to block the firing machine gun, sacrificing himself heroically. Inspired by Huang Jiguang's heroic deeds, the troops quickly occupied position O and annihilated two enemy battalions. According to Huang Jiguang's application before his death, the party committee of the troops posthumously recognized him as a member of the Communist Party of China and awarded him the title of "Model Member of the Regiment."

In April 1953, the leadership of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army awarded him a special merit posthumously and conferred him the title of "Special Hero." In June of the same year, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea posthumously awarded Huang Jiguang the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the Gold Star Medal, and the first-class National Flag Medal. His heroic deeds were widely praised among the troops and the people, becoming a model for others to learn from.

Sun Zhanyuan

Sun Zhanyuan was a squad leader in a certain unit of the Volunteer Army, from Lin County (now Linzhou City), Henan Province. He joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army in February 1946 and joined the Communist Party of China in February 1948.

In March 1951, Sun Zhanyuan participated in the Korean War as a member of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, fighting bravely and tenaciously, and successively made meritorious contributions five times. On October 14, 1952, during the Battle of Shangganling, the "United Nations Army" led by the US military and the South Korean army captured the 597.9 and 537.7 high grounds defended by the Volunteer Army with about six battalions of troops. He led the assault squad to counterattack position 2 on the 597.9 high ground. When approaching position 2, he was blocked by enemy fire and suffered serious injuries to both legs. Sun Zhanyuan endured the severe pain and stubbornly continued to command, using a machine gun to cover his comrades for demolition, destroying three fire points. When the assault squad captured position 2 and continued to advance, the enemy suddenly counterattacked from the side of the position, resulting in several comrades sacrificing their lives. He used the captured bunker to set up two captured machine guns to fire in rotation, successfully repelling the enemy's two attacks and killing or wounding more than 80 enemy soldiers. After the enemy launched another attack, with comrades falling one after another and ammunition running out, he crawled in pain, took grenades from the bodies of the enemy, and continued to fight. When the enemy rushed onto the position, he ignited his last grenade, sacrificing himself along with the enemy. On November 6 of the same year, the leadership of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army awarded him special merit, and on April 8, 1953, he was posthumously awarded the title of "First-Class Hero." On June 25 of the same year, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea posthumously awarded Sun Zhanyuan the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the Gold Star Medal, and the first-class National Flag Medal.

Qiu Shaoyun

Qiu Shaoyun was a soldier in a certain unit of the Volunteer Army, from Tongliang County, Sichuan Province. He joined the People's Liberation Army in December 1949, fighting bravely with a strong will. In the autumn of 1950, he participated in the anti-bandit operations in the Neijiang area of Sichuan with his company. During the battle in Gaoliang Town, he fought despite being ill, leading the charge, penetrating the bandit lair, killing or injuring more than 10 bandits, and assisting his comrades in capturing the bandit leader alive. In March 1951, he joined the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to fight in Korea. On the way to the front lines, he braved the bombardment from American planes to rescue a Korean child from a burning house. In October 1952, his unit was tasked with attacking the "United Nations Army" outpost at Hill 391, led by the American military, west of Jinhwa. The front of the hill was an open area, and to shorten the attack distance for a surprise assault, on the night of the 11th, the unit organized over 500 men to lie in ambush in front of the enemy position. His squad lay in ambush in a thicket of weeds just over 60 meters from the enemy's front line. Around noon on the 12th, the American troops blindly fired incendiary bombs, one of which landed near his hiding spot, igniting the grass and quickly spreading flames to him, burning his cotton clothing. To avoid exposing their position and to ensure the safety of all ambushed personnel and the success of the attack, he gave up on self-rescue, gritting his teeth and allowing the fierce fire to scorch his hair and skin, holding on for more than 30 minutes until he heroically sacrificed himself. Inspired by Qiu Shaoyun's great spirit of sacrifice, the counterattack troops successfully captured Hill 391 that night, annihilating an American reinforced company. After the war, the military committee of his unit posthumously recognized him as a member of the Communist Party of China according to his wishes during his lifetime and awarded him the title of "Model Youth League Member."

On November 6, 1952, the headquarters of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army awarded him a special merit citation. On June 1, 1953, he was posthumously awarded the title of "First-Class Hero." On June 25 of the same year, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea posthumously awarded Qiu Shaoyun the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" along with the Gold Star Medal and the First-Class National Flag Medal. On the summit of Hill 319, there is an inscription that reads: "The great warrior Comrade Qiu Shaoyun, who sacrificed himself for the whole and for victory, will live forever!" In 1953, a memorial hall for martyr Qiu Shaoyun was established in Tongliang County, Sichuan Province, and a monument was erected on the top of Phoenix Mountain, with a couplet written by Zhu De.

Gathering of Heroes - Commemorative Medal of the National Combat Hero Representative Conference

From September 25 to 30, 1950, the National Combat Hero Representative Conference was grandly held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. A total of 350 heroes and model representatives attended the conference, including 258 combat heroes, 44 work models, 5 representatives of model units, and 43 representatives of militia heroes. On October 1, 1950, the State Council of the Central People's Government presented commemorative medals for the National Combat Hero Representative Conference.