James T

Reverse of OG

This is one of the few items that I purchased back in 1996 that was not part of a group. It also is one of the few items that I have that is researched. It appears that two different individuals researched the medal and there are two slightly different explanations for the award listings. This OG first class was awarded to Corporal Mikhail Alexandrovich Shapiro of the 507th Exterminating Antitank Artillery Corps. What originally caught my eye was he is credited with eliminating as many as 121 German soliders. I have not seen any other group or individual medals listing so many Hiterlites killed by an individual, other than some snipers. I only have research work on the 1st class and the researcher did not provide the serial numbers for his other awards. An interesting award and one that I have kept over the years. The research and copies of the Russian files are listed below. Jim

Order of the Red Star

Order of Nevsky

Two Order of Lenin, One Order of the Red banner, medal for Combat Service

Heor Star

Star group

This is the most complete Russian group I have purchased, all the medals and documents are included plus his three complete flight logs. The recipient is Bomber Pilot Pete Tananey Nikolgevich. Again this is a group I purchased and put away for the past 15 years. This is a case of another group not researched and I will start the process shortly on all groups and individual awards. Regards Jim

Order of the Red Star reverse

Order of the Red Banner reverse

Order of the Patriotic War 1st class reverse

Alexander Nevsky reverse

Sorry I did not include the Major's name Konnstantin Ivanovich Nesvetaylov, that may be the reason I bought the group part of his name is close to mine. Lenin reverse

This is another group that just asked me to add it to my collection don't know why as it was to an Officer and really not my collecting field. Having said that I really am glad I listened to my instinct and did buy items that appealed to me. This is a nice complete medal set and that must have been the reason for purchasing the group. Jim

Hi Ed Unforturnately I have not taken the time to do any research on my groups as time has always been too short for me. I collect American, Japanese, some British and Russian medals and have just retired for the second time and will now start doing the research on the various groups. I have some more Hero Star groups and Orders of Glory sets that I will be posting. Is there one research service better than the rest? I have used dealers but there must be a better way. Regards Jim

Booklet and large document

Combat Service reverse

Combat Service reverse

Red Star reverse

Lenin reverse

HS reverse

I have some information on this group but it is not researched, and to top it all off I forgot to write his name down before I put the set away again, so will have to have someone list it for me. I bought this group a long time ago. If I remember correctly it cost around $2,400.00 and at the time I had a chance to buy a lone Hero Star marked II for a Russian fighter pilot but I went for the cheaper complete group. Like everyone else, should have bought both. The information I have is that he was a Jr. Lt. Platoon Commander 225 Howitzer Artillery Reg. of the 51st Rifle Co. This was my first HS purchase as I originally only collected Orders of Glory as they were mainly for enlisted personnel as I was in my Army hitch. I had also received a VCR with the group that was an interview with him describing exactly what he did to earn the award, and his life before and after the military. Unfortunately it is in European format and I could never play it. Now it's lost some place and I have not seen the VCR in years. The early award date of 1940 appealed to me as I had not seen too many of the Winter War groups for sale. Regards Jim.

Photo wearing OBK

Photo wearing OBK

Obverse of OBK