Hyperfocal22

luck at last

Sorry Guys I will try to scan again. If someone wants I am happy to email this page to you full size for varification. I am not interested in giving this guy any recognition that is not his due.

Quite surprising that he doesn't seem to have had any "qualifications" for Counter Intelligence work-- no foreign languages, no big Party connections-- he must simply have been good with his fists.

The Red Star itself is the thin armed late type made by the Platinapribor factory in Moscow-- there is a thread on this varaint in the Soviet awards section.

Of the badges, the first one is for 91st Artillery Brigade-- which has no connection with him from his service record. The second is the Minisry of Defense 1970 Victory jubilee badge on incorrect suspension, and the last one I cannot read because the inscription over the star is too small.

On what basis was this claimed as a Gold Star Hero of Labor recipient partial group?

I didn't think these belonged to the man, but rather had been added to the ebay lot to make it look more impressive. According to my wife the last badge was to to with Stalingrad, which does not fit in with his history at all.

I have attached to originals of the document which refer to the HSL. Does anyone know if you can research this award with only the name to go by?

This Is the top of the first page. A bit of a jigsaw I'm afraid.

Second Page. I can't seen to get these files small enough GRRR

Sorry, here is the original of the service record. It also seems strange to me that he would receive such a high award considering his education and background. Perhaps he just came up with one of those once in a lifetime ideas.

Citation Translation

Comrade Ryabko Nikolay Iosifovich took part in the Patriotic War since February, 1942. He was a combatant who repeatedly took part in battles against the German invaders.

During the period when the offensive of the 3^rd Byelorussian front troops aimed at liberation of the Soviet Republic of Lithuania and Eastern Prussia was prepared, he worked by order of the front department of "SMERSH" with the object of neutralizing counter-revolutionary criminal elements and terminating the armed gangs in the liberated areas of Lithuania and achieved high rates in his service: he uncovered and terminated a great number of persons of consequences engaged in counter-revolutionary activities.

He is devoted to the party of Lenin and Stalin.

Ryabko deserves the government award, order of the Red Star.

Counterespionage "SMERSH" head department of the 3^rd Byelorussian front

Lieutenant-General (signed) /Zelenin/

Second Page

2nd Half of page

Record card

Order book No A-831641

1. Last name: Ryabko

2. First, middle names: Nikolay Iosifovich

3. Military rank: Senior lieutenant

4. Sex: Male

5. Year of birth: 1905

6. Place of birth: Kharkovskaya region, Motovich village

7. Party membership since: C.P.S.U.(B.) member since 1938

8. Education: elementary

9. Nationality: Ukrainian

10. In the Red Army since: 1941-1945

11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position occupied when awarded: counterespionage SMERSH, 5^th Army of the 3^rd Byelorussian front ? representative

12. Current place of service and position: Manager of Kongresovskiy beetroot sovkhoz

13. Home address of the awardee: Kharkovskiy region, Zolochevskiy district, Motovskoy village Soviet, Ryasnoye village

14. Record of previous awards

Names of orders, medals Their numbers Document numbers Ground for award

Checked

Order of the Red Star 1856502 Temp./certif.

Д-767950 Order to 3^rd Byelorussian

front No 0464 of April 29, 1945

Signature of awardee (signed) ________________________

Data correctness and signature of awardee

attested by:

Zolochevskiy district military commissariat (signed)

February 18, 1948

Citation Bottom Half

Citation Top

Military History

Record Card Reverse

Record Card

Book3

Book2

Book

The Reverse

The Star also came with a 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birth. I think this is the Labour version.

The smaller badges which came with the award. I believe the first badge is from a unit he belonged to at one stage as their Political Officer, no idea about the other two.

Star Rev

This is my first researched award and one of my first medal purchases. Red Star No: 1856502 to Nikolay Iosifovich Ryabko.

It came with an award book and a couple of other small items, only one of which can be attributable to Nikolay based on information at hand; whilst other awards he is entitled to such as Hero of Socialist Labour are missing as are any records of the award number.

Please enjoy!

PM Lodge Harmony Commerce 15 UGLNSW. Although now unattched.