Paul R

I like it a lot too. Nice find. It is a shame that these are not researchable. These early ones were really difficult to earn.

All of that service, highly experienced and decorated and only an Oberstleutnant? He must have had a lot of conflicts with the management? I would love to know the story behind his Lifesaving Medal!

That is a really rare one! I have not seen another of these.

Those are really awesome Azyeoman. The DRK bar is great.

The Air Force has waivered back and forth over the use of shoulder boards for their senior enlisted and officers. Also, the Air Force wanted to develop a completely different uniform from that of the Army. Perhaps this was just a rough prototype used for brain storming during the uniform development phase? Either way, still a really cool and unique set of insignia. Most likely, one of a kind.

Yes... this entire group is a strange one. The valor medal is not on the card, but it could have come later? The weird thing is that the ribbons are all very well worn and uniformly so. I have no doubt that they have been together for a very long time. Kinda weird! I have never seen a set where the order numbers themselves were lost? Maybe they were awarded and the records were literally destroyed in a German offensive before they could be sent to their HQ?

Damn! I think that you have something really special or maybe a prototype? I have never seen anything like it. In fact, the Air Force colors are Silver and Blue. Most of their bullion work is in a silver color. This is really interesting. I look forward to seeing what folks have to say about this set.

I see. That does make sense. Didn't Naval members also receive the Bravery Medal and Combat Merit Medals?

Of notice in the research below is that this senior sergeant was highly decorated. He had an OPW2 and RS, which are actually annotated as lost. This would actually make this grouping complete! Paul stated that he had never seen the annotation of "Lost" next to an award entry in a person's records. Award Card Order Booklet A 949065 1. Last name: Konanov 2. Name and patrionymic: Mihail Petrovich 3. Rank: Senior Sergeant 4. Gender: Male 5. Birth year: 1923 6. Birthplace: Udmurt ASSR, Sentinskii Region, village of Sidarov-po(?) 7. Party membership: Komsomol since 7.1944 8. Education: elementary 9. Nationality: Russian 10. Time in Red Army: 6.1942-4.1947 11. Place of service at awarding: 1508 Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, 9 Tank Corps – Mechanic/ Driver 12. Place of work at present: Udmurt ASSR, village of Selty, Motor-Tractor Station – Tractor Driver 13. Home address: Udmurt ASSR, Seltinskii Region, village of Sidarov Po(?) 14. Awards: Designation/Serial Number/Awarding Organization Red Star LOST 9 Tank Corps dated 18.11.1944 Glory III 258.109 9 Tank Corps dated 10.02.1945 OPW II LOST 9 Tank Corps dated 26.05.45 Verified by an Udmurt ASSR combined military commissariat [trans: both signature and stamp largely illegible] Award Sheet 1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Kononov, Mihail Petrovich 2. Rank: Senior Sergeant 3. Duty position: Mechanic/Driver – SU-76, 1508 Baranovichi Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment Recommendation for the Order of Glory III Class 4.Born: 1923 5.Nationality: Russian 6.Party membership: Komsomol since 1944 7.Previous combat: 1 Byelorussian Front since October 1943 8.Wounds or shell-shock: n/a 9.In Red Army: since 1944 10.Inducted by: Saltinskii Region, Udmurt ASSR 11.Previous awards: Red Star 12.Home of record: Udmurt ASSR, Saltinskii Region, village of Sidarov Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment Comrade Kononov has driven his vehicle 600km without any accidents or breakdowns during offensive fighting from 14-28.1.45. He repeatedly displayed bravery and driving mastery on the battlefield. In night fighting on 22.1.45 near the city of Kalish while encountering an enemy vehicle convoy, he quickly deployed his vehicle and placed it in an advantageous position, allowing his crew to open fire. In this engagement the crew destroyed two vehicles with ammunition and equipment, a 120mm mortar armored transport, and as many as 20 soldiers. He is deserving of the Order of Glory III Class. Signed Commander, 1508 Baranovichi Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Gatsuk on 30 January 1945 Endorsed Commander, 9 Tank Corps, Guards General-Lieutenant of Tank Troops Kirichenko on 7 February 1945 Awarded Order of Glory III Class by 9 Tank Corps Order 019/N dated 10 February 1945. Verified by 9 Tank Corps Chief of Personnel, Major of Administrative Services Roenko on 10 February 1945. Unit Award Order 9 Bobruisk Red Banner Tank Corps Order 019/N dated 10 February 1945 On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations for exemplary accomplishment of the Command’s missions in the struggle against the German invaders and for having displayed valor and bravery: Order of Glory III Class to: 5. Senior Sergeant Mihail Petrovich Kononov – Mechanic/Driver, SU-76, 1508 Baranovichi Self- Propelled Artillery Regiment Signed 9 Bobruisk Red Banner Tank Corps Guards General-Lieutenant of Tank Forces Kirichenko and Chief of Staff Colonel Ravinovich

Is it true that the medals were for the enlisted and the two orders were for officers?

If this medal could only talk. I bet that he amassed some really harrowing stories during his time in services.

OK. What do you know about this photograph that I dont?

Registration form Awarding booklet # A-826450 Freidman Solomon Marcovich Senior lieutenant of quartermaster service Date of birth – 1895 Place of birth – Vitebsk city Communist party member since 1944 Education – high school Nationality – Jew Served in Red Army since July of 1941 Last military service place and position – 10th Guards Army, chief of foodstuffs service Present occupation – Molotov city, chief of supply department of forest protection organization Address – Molotov city, Students street 5, apt.1 Red Star order #884426, document #B 617995, order of 10th Guard Army #125/n from 3d of November 1944 Combat merit medal #127637, document v/u 278324, order of 13th engineering-mine brigade #029 from 31st of December 1942 AWARDING SHEET Freidman Solomon Marcovich Red Army enlisted man 162nd engineering-mine battalion Recommended to awarding by “Combat merit” medal Birth date 1895 Nationality – Jew Serving in Red Army since 5th of July 1941 Non-party Serving in Fighting Army since December of 1941 Never wounded Never awarded before Called up to military service by Vitebsk military commissariat of Belorussian SSR Home address: Vitebsk city, Pioneer str. 35 Statement of a personal combat feat or merits. Comrade Freidman worked in Army management of ware and food service – 21 as a warehouse manager. From January 1942 to December of 1942 he worked as a chief of base of 35th engineer brigade. For this period he provided uninterrupted supply of our battalions worked with fighting troops on Pola river (April-May of 1942) and Semenovshina (October-November of 1942). In May- June of 1942 comrade Freidman worked in hard combat conditions under blows of enemy aircrafts, but he never allowed any interruptions in battalions supply. During enemies aircrafts blows in Krestsi (June of 1942) comrade Freidman saved all brigade foodstuffs and delivered them to battalions in time. Comrade Freidman is initiative, resourceful, never lost himself in a combat situation. He is politically well developed, understands an international situation. He proved by his work his devotion to Lenin-Stalin party and our Motherland. Comrade Freidman is worthy to be awarded by “Combat merit” medal. Brigade engineer, major of engineer service II The conclusion of the highest chiefs I award him by “Combat merit” medal Deputy to commander of 13th engineering-mine brigade of HCR major Smirnov 31 of December 1942 Mark about awarding Was awarded by “Combat merit” medal #127637 Order of 13th engineering-mine brigade of HCR #029 from 31 of December 1942

No worries. I do appreciate the efforts. In the post above, I was able to obtain the CSM citation. Can anyone translate it?

How would it have been possible for a Soviet NCO to have the Turkish Star? I am very impressed by is 3x ORS!

They are not truly cavaliers unless they have the medal as well as the two classes of the order, right?

This is a truly awesome development Rick!! Congrats! Is this sword yours?

The tabs and boards would be like the regular police, right?

So that bottom one is DDR as well?

Beautiful eagle Ricky!

That is an amazing set of medals. It would have made a stunning medal bar.

I thought that green was used on the Saxon shoulder board underlay.

I know that Bavaria used blue and Saxon used green. Which state used the red, as seen here?

Since these are red, what German state to these belong to? Did officers wear the marksmanship lanyards? It is a great looking set of insignia.

That is a beautiful bar. I cannot wait to start seeing the medals fill in.