slava1stclass

To all: Senior Sergeant Tlyeumurat Utyemuratov. He is not an ethnic Uzbek, but rather an ethnic Karakalpak. Karakalpakstan is an autonomous republic in Uzbekistan. Officially it is called the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It is situated southeast and southwest of the Aral Sea. Regards, slava1stclass

Auke, Unfortunately, since images were deleted from this thread (posts # 7 and 11), I'm now unable to offer further assistance in identifying the Full Cavaliers in question. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: A very choice Border Troops tunic and service cap. Regards, slava1stclass

Jim, You raise a very, very interesting point here - one which admittedly I have never really given much thought to. I can think of only one instance over the past 16 years where I've seen a separate, documented 2nd or 3rd Class Glory attributed to a Full Cavalier offered for sale by a dealer in the West. In that instance, the premium to be paid for this provenance was high. I would think the likelihood of finding a documented Full Cavalier 2nd and 3rd Class Glory group would be even more remote - this because the individual orders were likely pieced out back in the early '90s when their big brother i.e., the Glory 1st, left the "family." Were a documented 2nd/3rd Class Full Cavalier group to appear today, I dare think it would command a very hefty premium as the likelihood of finding its 1st Class brother would seem greater than were the opposite the case. Regards, slava1stclass

Jim, ...or if we could go back in time to the early 1990s when a single Glory 1st was selling for between $900.00 and $1,500.00. Unfortunately, many groups were broken up as these first started hitting the West. The 1st Class was often stripped away from its brothers in the set given the "gold" factor. It wasn't until more sophisticated collectors began insisting on complete Full Cavalier groups that this tendency began to taper off. Dealers were also quick to recognize the profit potential in securing complete Full Cavalier sets. They thus began to instruct their contacts/sources in the Motherland to work to this end and thereby adjusted to the demands of the market/their clients. Remember, too, that back in those early days there was no quick way to verify whether all three were actually connected to a given recipient. It was not uncommon to be offered a set of three Glories (without documentation of any sort) that were alleged to have belonged to the same person. One could then either opt to purchase the Glory 1st (to complete one's collection of the three classes) or to pay substantially more (even back then) and run the risk that it was a compiled set. I know a few who elected the latter option only to get the bad news once access to the archives and research became more readily available. It remains my personal view that a single Glory 1st should always command more than a single HSU - this given its relative rarity when total award numbers for each are compared. The explosion in asking prices for a single Glory 1st over those seen in the early 1990s is due in no small measure to this fact. I certainly agree with your view that while not impossible, it is highly unlikely that split Full Cavalier Glory sets will ever be reunited. To own a Glory 1st, whether as a single or within a Full Cavalier set, remains no small feat. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: This new work addresses 78 Full Cavaliers who are either Belarusian citizens or residing there: http://www.bookline.ru/book3013946.htm You can't beat the price. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Judging from this, the 8K barrier will soon be broken: http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=16786 Regards, slava1stclass

Rick, I read it as "Rem" not "Rezh." That said, my take is that it's Repair Factory No. 11, NKO. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: The fifth to be awarded for OEF/OIF service. Regards, slava1stclass Chairman Presents Awards for Heroism in Iraq By Linda D. Kozaryn American Forces Press Service FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, Feb. 23, 2007 ? Marine Gen. Peter Pace presented a Distinguished Service Cross and two Silver Stars here yesterday to three soldiers for heroism displayed in Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005. Pvt. Stephen C. Sanford, recently medically retired from the Army, salutes Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Feb. 22. Sanford received the award for going above and beyond the call of duty while fighting terrorist in Iraq. Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was an emotional moment for him to properly recognize the soldiers? heroism, and ?to say thank you for their incredible valor in the face of a very, very dangerous enemy.? Pace awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Army Pvt. Stephen C. Sanford of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, for displaying extraordinary courage during the evacuation of casualties from a home in Mosul while under intense enemy fire, according to Army officials. Although shot in the leg during his squad?s initial assault attempt, he still accompanied his squad during its second assault. Once inside the house, Sanford provided a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the casualties were evacuated. He continued to engage the enemy while escorting wounded soldiers from the house, according to the award citation. Sanford returned to the house a second time to provide covering fire for the final withdrawal of casualties. When the last soldier leaving the house was shot in the neck, Sanford began performing CPR. Sanford was shot twice more in the back while trying to revive the other soldier. He returned fire and killed an insurgent while receiving two more potentially fatal gunshot wounds, the citation stated. He continued returning fire while helping his wounded comrade until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood. The chairman awarded a Silver Star to Staff Sgt. Michael L. Barrera Jr., and to Pfc. Joshua V. Joseph, both of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Brigade Combat Team, for heroism and selfless service. Army officials said their courage and disregard for their own welfare resulted in saving the lives of comrades who were severely wounded. After pinning on the three medals, Pace called the three soldiers back to stand by him in front of a ?wall of heroes,? displaying photos of the 30 soldiers in their unit who have died in Iraq. ?I have had the distinct honor of participating in many award ceremonies,? Pace told the audience of family, friends and fellow soldiers. ?This is the first time I have ever had the honor of awarding a Distinguished Service Cross. I t?s certainly the first time I?ve ever had in one ceremony the honor of putting two Silver Star Medals on two very deserving soldiers.? The chairman said each of the soldiers would probably say they don?t think they deserve the awards. ?If you asked them, they?d say they were doing their jobs,? he said. ?But if you asked their fellow soldiers, they?d say they went above and beyond the call of duty. ?The soldiers on the wall behind me know what you have done,? Pace told the award recipients. ?Your courage in combat made a difference. You deserve these awards.? When read in a citation, Pace said, words like ?extraordinary heroism? and ?gallantry in action? don?t capture what really happened that day. ?But you know what happened, and so do your fellow soldiers in the unit,? he said. ?Thank you for doing what soldiers have always done in combat -- to serve, to serve well and to serve above and beyond what any of our fellow citizens would ask you to serve,? he concluded.

To all: Expanding on Dave's above clarification, it is also worthwhile to note that enlisted members who have been awarded the Medal of Honor and/or the Distinguished Service Cross (in the case of the U.S. Army) are entitled to 10% addtional retired pay as described below. Regards, slava1stclass A. Service Retirement. Enlisted members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps retired after the completion of 20 but less than 30 years of active service are eligible to receive 10 percent additional retired or retainer pay if credited with extraordinary heroism in the line of duty. Total retired pay, including the 10 percent increases, may not exceed maximum pay of 75 percent. Enlisted members of the Coast Guard retired after completion of 20 years, voluntarily or involuntarily, are eligible to have retired pay increased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the active duty pay and permanent additions thereto of the grade or rating with which retired if credited with extraordinary heroism in the line of duty. B. Non Regular Service Retirement. Enlisted members of the Reserve Component who are entitled to retired pay and credited by the Secretary concerned with extraordinary heroism in the line of duty shall have their retired pay increased by an additional 10 percent. The Secretary?s determination as to extraordinary heroism is conclusive for all purposes. The total retired pay, including the 10 percent increase, may not exceed the maximum pay of 75 percent of the applicable retired pay base. This shall take effect October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to retired pay for months beginning on or after that date.

Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Jesuit-educated men rise to any challenge. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: I concur in Dave's interpretation - the signature is Buchholz. Regards, slava1stclass

saschaw, Great research/detective work! Toi, toi, toi! Regards, slava1stclass

Dan, Here is a Medal of Honor winner who was also awarded the Order of the Patriotic War Second Class. The citation for his Medal of Honor follows. Regards, slava1stclass SLATON, JAMES DANIEL Corporal, U.S. Army Company K, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division Date of Action: September 23, 1943 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to James Daniel Slaton, Corporal, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company K, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action with the enemy in the vicinity of Oliveto, Italy, on 23 September 1943. Corporal Slaton was lead scout of an infantry squad which had been committed to a flank to knock out enemy resistance which had succeeded in pinning two attacking platoons to the ground. Working ahead of his squad, Corporal Slaton crept upon an enemy machinegun nest and, assaulting it with his bayonet, succeeded in killing the gunner. When his bayonet stuck, he detached it from the rifle and killed another gunner with rifle fire. At that time he was fired upon by a machinegun to his immediate left. Corporal Slaton then moved over open ground under constant fire to within throwing distance, and on his second try scored a direct hit on the second enemy machinegun nest, killing two enemy gunners. At that time a third machinegun fired on him 100 yards to his front, and Corporal Slaton killed both of these enemy gunners with rifle fire. As a result of Corporal Slaton's heroic action in immobilizing three enemy machinegun nests with bayonet, grenade, and rifle fire, the two rifle platoons which were receiving heavy casualties from enemy fire were enabled to withdraw to covered positions and again take the initiative. Corporal Slaton withdrew under mortar fire on order of his platoon leader at dusk that evening. The heroic actions of Corporal Slaton were far above and beyond the call of duty and are worthy of emulation. General Order No. 44, May 30, 1944 Born: 4/2/1912 at Laurel, Mississippi Home Town: Gulfport, Mississippi

Paul R, Unfortunately, GEN Patton makes no reference to having been awarded the Guards Badge in the excerpt I cited. Regards, slava1stclass

Dave, Your sense was absolutely correct and my theory was wrong. According to an entry in GEN Patton's diary, he was presented with the Order of Kutuzov 1st Class, serial number 58, on 14 May 1945 by MSU Tolbukhin, Commander, 3rd Ukrainian Front. The presentation occurred in a chateau that formerly belonged to Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. Patton noted that "He (Tolbukhin) was a very inferior man and sweated profusely at all time." GEN Patton's other observations concerning the Russians on that day are definitely worth the read. Source: The Patton Papers, Volume Two, 1940-1945, George Smith Patton and Martin Blumenson, c. 1998, p. 712. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: My thinking is that Patton likely received his Kutuzov 1st Class personally from MSU Zhukov on/around Friday, 7 September 1945 in Berlin, Germany in connection with the Allied Victory Parade held there. The September parade proceeded along what is today known as "Strasse der 17. Juni." GEN Patton and MSU Zhukov were the reviewing officers. It was at this parade that the famous photo of a smiling MSU Zhukov seen standing to GEN Patton's left was taken. Patton can clearly be seen wearing his Kutuzov 1st. It was also at this parade that the Soviet JS-3 heavy tank was publicly displayed for the first time. Unless the photo in post # 1 above pre-dates the September 1945 picture of him with Zhukov in Berlin, my guess is that's when he was gonged. Regards, slava1stclass

Gerd, I guess since he wasn't an Olympic medal winner, he stood no chance - unlike the below lady who was awarded the Hero of Russia for her "leading achievements in sports, courage and heroism displayed at the ХVIII Winter Olympics in 1998." Falling on that very hard ice after a failed triple Lutz jump is especially life threatening you know... http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=3070 So is das Leben mein Freund. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: As the commander of JS-1 heavy tank # 632 who fought at Seelow Heights, crossed the Landwehr canal into Berlin under fire and was personally involved in the battle to capture/secure Tempelhof airport, what else did this young Guards junior lieutenant need to do? Regards, slava1stclass

To all: On 12 July 1945, Field Marshal Montgomery, acting on behalf of the King of England, presented honorary British knighthoods to the following Red Army officers: Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov; Commander, 1st Belorussian Front - Knight Grand Cross of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovskiy; Commander, 2nd Belorussian Front - Knight Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) General of the Army Sokolovskiy; Deputy Commander, 1st Belorussian Front - Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) Colonel General Malinin; Chief of Staff, 1st Belorussian Front - Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) The ceremony took place in the heart of shattered Berlin directly underneath the Brandenburg Gate. The Kings Company of the Grenadier Guards formed the Guard of Honor with tanks of the Kings 8th Royal Irish Hussars drawn up on either side. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=16378 This makes our poor Order of Glory 1st Class look like chump change. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Absolutely no slow down whatsoever in the appreciation of the Order of Glory 1st Class - at least as concerns dealers' asking prices: http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=16644 Note, too, the presence of a maker's mark on the reverse side. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=477 - one example of several such instances. Facts always trump speculation, conjecture and, in select cases, ignorance. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: The ranking in post # 1 above remains valid as of 22 January 2007. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: I have positively identified the second Full Cavalier in Post # 1 above. I will now work to i.d. these new men (Posts # 7 and 11). Regards, slava1stclass