It was awarded to individuals who distinguished themselves by extraordinary courageousness during war. The vast majority was awarded to Yugoslav Partisans for actions during the Second World War. A total of 120,636 orders were awarded in Yugoslavia.[1]
Encyclopedia (1982). Narodni heroji Jugoslavije (People's Heroes of Yugoslavia) (in Serbo-Croatian). Belgrade and Titograd: Partizanska knjiga, Narodna knjiga, Pobjeda.