James T

I started buying Russian medals in the late 60's because no one else wanted them. My main collecting field was WWII German and the Russian medals just seemed a natural. I bought some items from veterns but mostly at gun shows. I have several order of glories a bunch of campaign medals and some red stars. I honestly do not remember what I paid for them but when I sold them in the mid 70's I did quite well. The ones I bought from veterans most likely were trade items with the russian soldiers as they still had the serial numbers on them. All the ones I purchased at gun shows had the numbers scratched out. I was told that they came from Finland. I quite collecting Russian medals then because you just could not find them for sale at any price till the mid 70"s and then they wer too expansive for my pocketbook. Jim

Pendant means past S.V.P.

I recently picked up this pair of shoulder boards and I believe that they are German but what they are I have no idea. The background is dark green the border is a light lime color the letters are a gold thread color. The underlayment is black. The set is light weight and not professionaly made as they are not the same size as its partner. Any help would be appreciated. Jim

Obverse of medals From left to right Lt Runovsky Sapper Mj Ipatov SMERSH Cpt Balashov Anti-Deseter All are in excellant shape. Re: additional information on Maj Ipatov of SMERSH I do not have any information for his award of the red star. Regards Jim

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Another cast off Red Star I say that with tongue in cheek as I bought this back in 1995 when no one cared about this crazy Russian stuff. The Order of the Red Star is to Major Nikolay Alexandrovich Ipatov on 10/28/1943 Commander of SMERSH Counterintelligence Department of Katlass Garrison Arkhangelsk Military District. I have a little translations on the paperwork and need your help to see if there is anything else of interest. Jim

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Another cast off non matching Red Star to Lt Nikolay Ivanovich Runovsky 2nd Independent Rifle Battalion, 53rd Independent Rifle Brigade. Comarade Runovsky has served in the battalion since 11/27/1942. Participated with the battalion within the brigade in fights to lift the blocade of Leningrad. He was lightly wounded there on 01/25/1945. While occupying a position of commander of a sapper platoon he proved himself as most diciplined officer who knows well engineering. When he participated with the brigade in obliterating of German occupiers near the Village of Lezno-Zelenzi in a period of 10/05/1943 through 11/21/1943 he proved himself as a courageous and valiant officer. He ensured the battalions crossing of Volkhov river thus accomplishing the task set by the command, and organized delivery of means of conveyance from the west bank. Due to his effort the battalion crossed the river with minimal losses despite the artillery and mortar fire of the enemy. Comrade Runovsky consequently organized and advanced command position exactly were it had been planned by the battalion commander, thus facilitating work of the headquarter in directing the fight. The battalion was under a threat of enemy attack on the left flank. Comrade Runovsky here angain showed courage and under the enemy artillery and mortar fire set up a minefield of up to 600 meters in length. Thus he preventd th enemy from attacking from the direction of Yarostovaya Grove. I reccommend comrad Runovsky to be awarded with an Order of the Red Star for courage and valor that he displayed in the struggle with German occupiers. Jim

Sgt Mj Popov

Back in Dec 15 2007 I posted a partial medal group to Sgt. Mj Petr Popov a Hero of the Soviet Union. The group consisted of a OPW serial no 78479, ORS serial no 440520, MFV serial no 524371 along with his order booklet listing the medals and serial numbers. The group does not seem to appear in either soviet section but is still on my personal information under post. There was some concern that the medals and booklet were not original to Sgt. Mj Popov as the booklet was dated 1946 and did not list his Hero Star medal or Order of Lenin. I have enclosed a copy of his researched file as I received it. Note the person who did the research highlighted the serial numbers with a dark blue marker and now you have to hold the paper at an angle to confirm the serial numbers as matching to the medals and order booklet that I have. So now the mystery is still there but it appears that this is indeed Sgt. Mj Popov's medals as awarded to him. Waiting for your thoughts. Jim

Back in 1996 when I started collecting Russian Medals I had a thing for the Order of the Red Star. Just thought it was a neat award and very inexpensive. I cherry picked the Red Stars that Igor had researched when they came with groups and were not awarded to the same individual. This one is to Captain Fedor Yakovlevich Balashov Senior adjutant of the 10th Independent Anit-Deserter Detachment, 23rd Army. Captain Balashov has served in 10th Independent Anit_Deserter Detachment since its formation, has occupied positions of company comander, then of senior adjutant. He ensured completion of tasks set by the Military Council of 23rd Army in organizing anti-deserter activity, and in training and upbringing of NCOs. In 1942 when he with his platoon took defense positions near Lembolovo lake he well fortified his perimeter and organized exterminating movement in the company, as a result of which 100 White Fins were eliminated. He organized a network of anti-deserters checkpoints and put the rear of the 142nd Rifle Div. in due order. Two deserters, among other detainees, were handed over to agencies of Military Prosecution. Through his systematic and persistent work with officers and NCOs he achieved excellent results in learning of training methods and significant increase in combat rediness. For explary completion of tasks af anti-deserter activity and excellant organization of personnel training he is reccomended to be awa5rded with a Medal for Valor. 9/12/1943 Signed: Commander of 10th Independent Anti-Deserter Detachment Captain Kalistratov. Commander of 628th Artillery Regiment LTC. Final Decision; To award with an Order of the Red Star 9/13/1943 His other awards are Order of the Patrotic War 2nd Class 1944 Medal for the Defense of Leningrad Medal for Victory over Germany I have copies of the actual documents but my camera battery just died. A neat Red Star.

Thanks for the information on the first and second award serial number. In regards to the name I am only going by what was given to me by the research. I know nothing about the Russian spelling and its all Greek to me, if you pardon the pun. Hopefully someone will be able to interperate the original doucments. Regards Jim

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