DECEMBER 24, 1920

By the selfless bravery of the troops of the Southern Front of the RSFSR, the last stronghold of the Russian counter-revolution has been liberated—by their heroic efforts the Crimea has been freed, Wrangel cast into the sea and his forces finally scattered. The country can at last rest from the three-year civil war forced upon it by the White Guards, begin to heal the countless wounds inflicted upon it, and set about restoring the people's economy, so devastated during these years.

The merit of the Southern Front before the entire worker-peasant country is exceptionally great.

To mark the feat of the Southern Front, the Council of Labor and Defense hereby resolves:

1. On behalf of the Council of Labor and Defense, to convey to all fighters of the Southern Front comradely greetings and gratitude for the selfless bravery, exceptional energy and political consciousness they displayed in the struggle for the realisation of the ideals of the worker-peasant revolution.

2. To award all military personnel who were present on 20 November of this year according to the lists of all units, staffs, directorates and institutions of the Southern Front—one month's salary.

Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense
V. Ulyanov (Lenin)