On June 27, 1945, Joseph Stalin was awarded the rank of Generalissimus of the Soviet Union

On June 27, 1945, Joseph Stalin was awarded the highest military rank — Generalissimus of the Soviet Union.

The rank was established by a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on June 26, 1945, based on collective petitions from workers, engineers, technical personnel, and appeals from the command of the Red Army.

The next day, the rank was conferred upon Joseph Stalin in recognition of his exceptional merits during the Great Patriotic War. Simultaneously, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin, and the Gold Star medal.

A special marshal's uniform with shoulder boards featuring the USSR coat of arms and a five-pointed star was designed for the new rank, but Stalin preferred to wear his everyday tunic.

Joseph Stalin remains the only person in Soviet history to have held this rank.