slava1stclass

May be the DSM, but I can't convince myself that I see the blue lines which should be there. No idea on the others. Question-- exactly what uniform is he wearing, and during which period was it worn? That might help narrow it down a bit.

That might be Army staff badge, but there are several state badges which it could be as well, I believe. I can't see enough of it to call it the Army Staff Badge.

If his service included Mexican Border service, he probably should have a WWI Victory Medal as well, just due to timing. Doc

Doc,

The ASID badge was designed by the Office of the Quartermaster General and approved by the Chief of Staff, General MacArthur, on 28 July 1933. It was announced on 23 August 1933 in War Department Circular No. 45 and award was made retroactive to 4 June 1920.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

He's not wearing a shoulder sleeve insignia on his left shoulder beacause he's assigned to the Army Staff (note Army Staff Identication Badge on his right breast pocket).

His first ribbon looks like the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and the second ribbon could well be the U.S. Army Mexican Border Service Medal. The last ribbon is likely a foreign decoration (note narrower ribbon width).

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Full Cavalier of the Order of Labor Glory Lidiya Iosifovna Brayt. She earned her status for her work as a dairy farmer in Kazakhstan.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Gentlemen,

A few words on this group and the Markov Auction.

With regard to this group, we are dealing with a documented group to a sniper who had 116 kills. In my opinion, this makes the vast majority of Cavalier groups that I have seen over the years comparatively mundane. Here we have a classic example of the added value because of the information which is available on Soviet awards and their recipients.

The auction itself was interesting in that the majority of items (especially at the high end) were purchased by one individual who made it clear, although bidding by telephone, that if he was interested in an item, he would pay any price for it. As a result, some results were, shall I say, a bit inflated.

Regards,

Wild Card

P.S. In rereading the above, by saying ?...some results were, shall I say, a bit inflated.?, I do not mean to imply any impropriety on the part of the auctioneer.

Gents,

FWIW, the other Full Cavalier set (which had limited documentation - Ordenskaya Knizhka) went unsold. The same held true for the single Order of Glory 1st Class.

Wild Card raises another good point. If I had the choice between a Full Cavalier set awarded to a member of a Guards formation or a standard line unit, I would always choose the Guards set. Guards formations were generally committed to the toughest areas of the fight.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Gents,

Sold for $50,000.00 at Dmitriy Markov's recently concluded NYC auction - a new record for the highest price paid for a Full Cavalier set (in the West).

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

He may only have two, but they sure are "fat" ones.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Fire Sale: price is now reduced to $25,000.00.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Fire Sale is getting hotter: price is now reduced to $22,000.00.

Regards,

slava1stclass

What on earth is there a notation from the Far Eastern Fleet up across the top for?

I like all those "1"s!

Rick,

I read it as him having been designated an "Honorary Red Sailor" of said organization - the Far Eastern Military Flotilla - in 1930.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Vasily Konstantinovich Blyukher!

Interesting!

Auke,

Correct! For those forum members who don't know, he was one of the first Marshals of the Soviet Union.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Let's see who amongst our august Soviet experts will be the first to identify the subject of this very special awards record card.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Currently available at a well known NYC-area dealer. The asking price for this Category 2 (missing official military commissariat stamp on photo) Full Cavalier set is $28,000.00.

FWIW, asking prices for Full Cavalier sets have doubled over the past two years.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Fire Sale: price is now reduced to $25,000.00.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

A very nice image of a Guards Airborne unit standard. Note the actual orders awarded to the unit as affixed to its standard.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Beyond the fact this is a Soviet naval JAG colonel, note the unique custom made "hangers" for his decorations - especially those for his foreign awards.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Nice image. Note the detailed collar insignia.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Note the device denoting the degree of Officer affixed to the suspension ribbon.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

A nice image of Lt Gen V. K. Urbanovich seen wearing the American Legion of Merit in the degree of Officer.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Most

Who???

To all:

Lt Gen I. K. Kolodyazhniy. He was a captain at war's end.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Need I say more?

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

A nice image of HSU General of the Army V.F. Margelov seen wearing the American Legion of Merit in the degree of Commander. Although a neck decoration, he's wearing it pinned to his breast.

During the war, Margelov, served as an officer in charge of Soviet naval infantry. Post-war, he was instrumental in reforming the Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV).

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Full Cavalier of the Order of Labor Glory I. F. Pritulyak. He was a combine harvester operator.

Regards,

slava1stclass

He is also a Lenin Prize winner.

To all:

A. P. German.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

And another.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Another nice image.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Junior Warrant Officer (Podpraporshchik) I. A. Korney of the 71st Belyov Infantry Regiment. His regimental mates referred to him simply as "Long Boy."

Regards,

slava1stclass