NavyFCO

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Zharkov, Nikolai Stepanovich Military Rank: Senior Sergeant Place of Service: Gun Commander, 207th Independent Tank Destroyer Division, 348th Bobrysim Red Banner Rifle Division. Recommended for: Order of Glory 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1924 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Member VLKSM since 1944 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since 10 April 1943, Br Bel. Front Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Wounded 6 September 1944 From Which Time with the Red Army: Since 20 August 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Kizalovskim RVK, Moloshovskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): Awarded medal ?For Valor? Prikaz 0122, 5 January 1944, 348th Rifle Division; Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, Prikaz 067/N, 25 July 1944, 35th Rifle Corps. Home Address: City of Kisel, Station Valodarskovo, Ulitsa Chaiaeva, 16. Father: Zharkov, Stepan Semyonovich Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. During the battles against German Fascist invaders on the approaches to the enemy fortifications near the village of Rostki, Comrade Zharkov and his artillery gun moved as part of the infantry formation and cleared the way forward by destroying three machine-gun emplacements and their crews. On 09/06/1944 when approaching the town of Ostrolenka the gun commanded by Senior Sergeant Zharkov moved with the infantry and destroyed an enemy machine-gun crew. During the assault of the town, the gun and its crew were the first to burst into the town and engage in street fighting. They captured two enemy soldiers, fired point-blank and killed a group of enemy submachine gunners, occupying positions in a house. Wounded in the leg, Comrade Zharkov did not hand over the command of his gun until the mission was accomplished. Comrade Zharkov deserves to be awarded the governmental award ? the Order of Glory, 3rd Class. Commander 207th Independent Tank Destroyer Division Major /Ostanenko/ 8 September 1944 Deserves to be awarded Order of Glory 3rd Class Commander of Artillery, 348th Rifle Division Lieutenant Colonel /Falatov/ 12 September 1944

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Zakachanskii, Kusima Pavlovich Military Rank: Sergeant Place of Service: Scout detachment of 166th Rifle Regiment Recommended for: Order of Glory 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1924 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Member VLKSM since 1940 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since August 1942 on the Leningrad and 3rd Pribaltic Fronts Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: None From Which Time with the Red Army: Since 28 August 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Moryanvskim RVK Omskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): Awarded medal ?For Valor? 21.8.44, Prikaz 166th Rifle Regiment No 056/N. Home Address: Omskaya Oblast, Pearyanskii Raion, Town of Chapaeva. Father: Zakachanskii, Semyon Akimovich Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. During the offensive on 17 September 1944, he displayed courage and valor when crossing the Viajke-Iygi River and capturing Height 53.7. As part of a reconnaissance team, he was among the first to burst into the enemy trenches and led rifle units? soldiers by his example. Together with a reconnaissance team, he captured four enemy soldiers. Consequently, the regiment accomplished the assigned mission. Commander 166th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel /Babushhkin/ 23 September 1944

10. Private Zaitsev Ivan Ephimovich, Rifleman, 1st Rifle Battalion: on 10/21/1944 during the battle at the town of ________ he crawled to the enemy trench, threw a hand grenade and destroyed a machine-gun together with its crew, thus clearing the way for the infantry. Born in 1911. Belorussian. Non-party. Completed four years of secondary school. Drafted into the Red Army in July 1944 by Kaganovich District Military Draft and Registration Office. Has been with the active military since August 1944. Wounded on 10/22/1944. Has no previous awards. Home address: Brickyards #3, Kharkov St., city of Minsk. Wife ? Zaitseva Anna Mikhailovna.

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Shevchenko, Aleksei Gavrilovich Military Rank: Private in Reserve Place of Service: Formerly served as a Platoon Commander in the 6th Airborne Division Recommended for: Medal ?For Military Merit? Year of Birth: 1914 Nationality: Ukrainian Party Membership: Not a member Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): 1st Ukrainian Front from June 1941 to June 1945 Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Wounded 14 August 1943 From Which Time with the Red Army: From May 1938 to November 1945 Which Call-Up Station: Novo-Odesskim RVK, Odessa Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded. Home Address: Village Veresi, Zhitomirskovo Raion, Zhitomirskoi Oblast Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. He served with the Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from May 1938 to November 1945 as a private and NCO. He took an active part with the first Ukrainian Front. During the battle at the village of Poletaevo, Kursk Region, he acted as a deputy platoon leader with the 6th Airborne Division and on 07/14/1943 he was lightly wounded in the left forearm by a shell fragment. He was subsequently treated at the 1935th Military Hospital from 07/14/1943 to 09/09/1943 (certified by the wound certificate #111 issued by the 1935th Military Hospital). He was then released from hospital back to his unit and served until November 1945. He works at Zhytomir Model Farm, which is part of Hop Growing Research Station. The reference from his place of work is positive. This recommendation has been coordinated with Comrade Kulmenko, first secretary of Zhytomir Region Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine, and Comrade Bokhonko, chairman of Zhytomir Region Executive Committee. CONCLUSION: As an active participant of the Great Patriotic War, who sustained a wound, he deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Star. Regional Military Commissar Zhitomirskovo SGVK Lieutenant Colonel /Shiron/ 23 August 1974

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Shapovalov, Serafin Ivanovich Military Rank: Private Place of Service: Mortarman, 2nd Company 1147th Rifle Regiment, 353rd Dneprodzerzhiskoi Red Banner Rifle Division. Recommended for: Order of Glory 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1924 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Not a member Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since 11 February 1942 Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: No Wounds From Which Time with the Red Army: Since 11 February 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Taischetskim RVK, Irkutskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded Home Address: Saratovskaya Oblast, City of Yengaliya, Ulitsa Studencheskaya Nr. 110 Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. On __ July 1944 when rebuffing an enemy attack at Height 179.9 near the village of Raskaiatsy, Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Comrade Shapovalov was part of a mortar crew and displayed bravery and fulfilled his responsibilities efficiently. The crew killed up to 20 Hitlerites when repulsing the enemy counter-attacks. Comrade Shapovalov deserves to be awarded the governmental award ? the Order of Glory, 3rd Class. Commander 1147th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel /Mazur/ Chief of Staff Major /Kotlyarov/ 25 July 1944

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Serdyukov, Mikhail Makarovich Military Rank: Junior Sergeant Place of Service: Gun Commander, 207th Independent Tank Destroyer Division, 348th Bobrysim Red Banner Rifle Division. Recommended for: Order of Glory 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1924 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Member VLKSM since 1944 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since 10 April 1943, Br Bel. Front Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Wounded 6 September 1944 From Which Time with the Red Army: Since 20 August 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Kizalovskim RVK, Moloshovskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): Awarded medal ?For Valor? Prikaz 0122, 5 January 1944, 348th Rifle Division; Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, Prikaz 067/N, 25 July 1944, 35th Rifle Corps. Home Address: City of Kisel, Station Valodarskovo, Ulitsa Chaiaeva, 16. Father: Zharkov, Stepan Semyonovich Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. During the battles at the town of Birkai on 2 August 1944 Comrade Serdyukov fired his machine-gun to support the friendly offensive. During the enemy counter-attack, his machine-gun ceased to operate. Comrade Serdyukov then found a captured machine-gun and continued to kill Germans. During the battle Comrade Serdyukov was wounded but did not leave the battlefield. Commander 207th Independent Tank Destroyer Division Major /Ostanenko/ 8 September 1944 Deserves to be awarded Order of Glory 3rd Class Commander of Artillery, 348th Rifle Division Lieutenant Colonel /Falatov/ 12 September 1944

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Petrov, Viktor Oredotovich Military Rank: Red Army Soldier Place of Service: Private, 67th Rifle Division, 3rd Artillery Regiment, Murmanskii Front Recommended for: Medal ?For Valor? Year of Birth: 1922 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Not a member Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War from 1941 to 1944 Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Has two heavy wounds From Which Time with the Red Army: From June 1941 to 1944 Which Call-Up Station: Demyanskim RVK, Novgorodskaya Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded Home Address: Home Kamenka Pesotskovo Station, Demyanskovo Raion, Novgorodskoi Oblast Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. Part of the 270th Rifle Regiment, 3rd Rifle Division, Leningrad Front, he was accomplishing a mission, defending the city of Leningrad, when in September 1941 he was heavily wounded in the head with a bullet and taken to hospital for treatment. Part of the 3rd Artillery Regiment, 67th Rifle Division, Murmansk Front, he was accomplishing a mission during the defense of the town of Murmansk when in May 1944 he was heavily wounded in the left arm by a shell fragment, which broke the bone. Having undergone medical treatment, he was discharged from the Red Army as a Patriotic War invalid, second category. At present, he is a village council chairman. Chief of Demyanskim Raion Military District /______/ 4 October 1945

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Natoptanii Anatoli Mikhailovich Military Rank: Major Place of Service: Regimental Commander, 998th Gun Artillery Dembitski Red Banner Bogdan Khmelnitsky Regiment RGK. Recommended for: Order of the Red Banner Year of Birth: 1913 Nationality: Ukrainian Party Membership: Member VKP/b/ since 1939 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the Patriotic War (when and where): In the Patriotic War from January 1942 to June 1942 on Voronezhskom Front, from June 1942 to September 1942 on Voronezhskii Front, from September 1942 to November 1942 on the Stalingrad Front, and since October 1943 on the 1st Ukrainian Front. Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Light wound in September 1942 in the region of Ust-Khoperik From Which Time with the Red Army: Since January 1933 Which Call-Up Station: Volunteer from the 1st Kiev Artillery School Received Which Awards (from which order): The medal ?For the Defense of Stalingrad? Home Address: City of Kiev, Pavlovskaya Ulitsa, House No. 2, Apartment 3. Wife: Barobanchyuk Evgeniya Nikolaevna. Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. Tremendous efforts by Guards Major NATAPTANYI to prepare the breaching of heavily fortified enemy defense at Sandomir bridgehead near Stolnits turned out to be decisive during the very initial phase of artillery offensive. Comrade NATAPTANYI personally controlled the arriving artillery units concentrated in the breach zone, when they deployed to their emplacements and assigned tactically favorable zones to them. Having arranged for an efficient coordination with rifle units, Comrade NATAPTANYI assigned specific ground firing missions to his subordinate officers. Consequently, during the artillery offensive the regiment delivered precision fire and destroyed six enemy artillery batteries, four observation posts, eight dug-outs, and two kilometers of wire entanglement, thus enabling the infantry and tanks to launch a successful attack without aviation support. Comrade NATAPTANYI continually led the regiment in a selfless manner and made it possible to neutralize the enemy defense during the very initial phases of artillery offensive. As soon as the breach was over, when our units began to rapidly advance and notwithstanding the difficulties the regiment of Guards Major NATAPTANYI was not even one minute behind the infantry, at any moment ready to open fire on request of the combined arms units? commanders. During the difficult minutes of combat Comrade NATAPTANYI would personally visit the forward observation posts to get situation awareness while courageously maneuvering the regiment?s combat formations, positioning them at the most critical directions. For the exemplary combat command and control of the regiment as the result of which the unit sustained no losses and the enemy suffered the biggest defeat, and our units advanced to the national borders of Germany, personal courage and bravery, Guards Major A.M. NATAPTANYI deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Commander 5th Gun Artillery Starokonstantinovskoi Red Banner Order Suvorov Brigade RGK Hero of the Soviet Union Colonel /Pa____/ 24 January 1945

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Niyazov, Abdurakhman Military Rank: Lieutenant Place of Service: Commander, Machine Gun Company, 78th Belgradskovo Rifle Regiment, 74th Kievsko-Dunaiskoi, Red Banner Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Regiment. Recommended for: Order of the Red Star Year of Birth: 1923 Nationality: Uzbek Party Membership: Member VLKSM Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the Patriotic War (when and where): December 1942 t0 May 1945 on the Southwest and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Light wounded on 1 June 1943 and 7 September 1943 on the 3rd Ukrainian Front. From Which Time with the Red Army: Since September 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Karakylskim RVK Bukharskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded Home Address: Bykharskaya Oblast, Karakylskii Raion, Collective farm in the name of Stalin. Father: Bazarov Niyaz. Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. Second lieutenant Niyazov has been taking an active part in the Great Patriotic War since December 1942. He has been fighting German invaders with the 3rd Ukrainian Front. He took an active part in the battles for liberating Ukraine and Moldavia as well as Romania, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Austria from German invaders. During the battles for Homeland Comrade Niyazov has been lightly wounded twice. For taking an active part in fighting German invaders, Comrade Niyazov deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Star. Commander 78th Belgradskovo Rifle Regiment Hero of the Soviet Union Lieutenant Colonel Levashov, 24 July 1945

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Sherbinski, Anatoli Nikiforovich Military Rank: Colonel since 19 February 1980 Place of Service: Commander, 73rd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade, PVO, 12th Air Defense Corps since 19 April 1978. Recommended for: Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1940 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Member KPSS since December 1960 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the Patriotic War (when and where): Did not participate Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: None From Which Time with the Red Army: Since October 1957 Which Call-Up Station: Novorzhevskim RVK, Pskovskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): Orders ? 2. Order of the Red Star in 1972 Home Address: City of Rostov-na-Dony, Ulitsa Oganova, Dom 27/2, KV 69. . Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. He is a disciplined and industrious officer. He has a highly responsible attitude to fulfilling his official responsibilities. He is confident in commanding the brigade, quick and precise in assessing the situation. He possesses well-developed leadership skills. He is a resolute and pushing commanding officer. He makes quick decisions in a complex situation. He has high administration capabilities and knows how to train his subordinates. He improves his professional training in a systematic manner. He is a master of battle proficiency. He possesses a good knowledge of the equipment of anti-aircraft missile systems. He works at achieving the brigade cohesion in a skillful manner. The command post is established and capable of accomplishing assigned missions. The 1980 live firing exercise was conducted with an excellent mark. The brigade has trained 28% of personnel with an excellent mark in combat and political training as well as 98% of rated specialists out of whom 72% are trained up to the highest standards. There are two excellent battalions, five batteries and 13 platoons. The weapons and equipment are maintained at a permanent readiness level. At work, he is able to grasp the essentials. He is hard working and consistent in achieving the set goals and objectives. He commands a merited respect among his subordinates and the Corps authorities. The Socialist competition is organized properly and it considerably favors the accomplishment of assigned missions. CONCLUSION: For having achieved much success in combat and political training, mastering sophisticated equipment and maintaining a high level readiness he deserves to be awarded the ?For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR? Third Class. V. DIKUSHIN Major-General, Air Force Commander, 12th Air Defense Corps 18 September 1980

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Volkovboi Ilia Efimovich Military Rank: Guards Senior Sergeant Place of Service: Senior Tractor Mechanic 5th Battery 33rd Guards Artillery Regiment, 14th Guards SVK Division Recommended for: Order of Glory 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1906 Nationality: Ukrainian Party Membership: Member VKP(b) since 1943. Party ID card number 5663443 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since 21 August 1942. On the fronts: Stalingrad, Donskoi, South-West, 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Doesn?t have wounds From Which Time with the Red Army: Since 18 March 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Gorodshenskim, Stalingradskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): Medal ?For Defense of Stalingrad? in 1942. Home Address: Stalingradskaya Oblast, Staropoltavski Raion, Stansia Belyaevka, Whife Chebdtaeva, Evdokia Mikhailovna Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. In August 1943 when the regiment was engaged in heavy fighting near the railway station of Merefa, Kharkov Region, the howitzer battery was firing point-blank into the enemy forces. Ten enemy tanks attacked the battery. Because of the attack, a battery of 76mm artillery pieces were ordered forward, and the howitzer battery was ordered to pull back. The enemy tanks were firing upon the battery emplacement. However, senior tractor mechanic Guards Senior Sergeant Volkoboi moved a tractor to the emplacement and pulled the battery out to safety without regard for the heavy shelling from the enemy tanks. Comrade Volkoboi saved the howitzer battery equipment, which was being fired upon by the tanks advancing right up to the battery emplacement. During the previous battles Senior Sergeant of the Guard always acted timely in any situation in order to move battery pieces, quite often risking his life under the enemy fire. The tractor always functions properly. Repairs are done at the emplacement. Senior Sergeant of the Guard Volkoboi deserves to be awarded the Glory Order, 3rd Class. Commander, 33rd Guards Artillery Regiment Guards Lieutenant Colonel /Kutarev/ 15 August 1944

AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Lebedkin Khristofor Davidovich Military Rank: Corporal in Reserve Place of Service: Rifleman, 1205th Rifle Regiment, Kalininskovo Front Recommended for: Order of the Red Star Year of Birth: 1900 Nationality: Russian Party Membership: Not a member Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): Kalininskii Front from 18 December 1941 to 29 January 1942 Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Heavy Wound on 29 January 1942 From Which Time with the Red Army: 5 November 1941 to 11 May 1942 Which Call-Up Station: Irbitskim RVK Sverdlovskoi Oblast Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded Home Address: City of Tagil, Entuziastov D. 13 KV 1 Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. Comrade Kh.D. Lebedkin participated in the Great Patriotic War from 18 December 1941 to 29 January 1942 as a rifleman with the 1205th Rifle Regiment, Kalinin Front. On 29 January 1942 during the offensive near the village of Sysolga in the Kalinin Front, he was heavily wounded in the right chest. The wound is certified by the certificate #3122 issued by the archive of the military medical museum on 4 August 1967. He is currently a lifetime third category invalid. He is on a medical disability pension. The recommendation has been coordinated with the local Party and Soviet authorities. CONCLUSION: For having taken an active part in the Patriotic War and having sustained a heavy wound he deserves to be awarded the Red Star Order. Dzerzhinski Regional Commander Lieutenant Colonel /Zinovev/ 28 August 1967

Looks like this forum has gone to the crickets over the past few days! I figure I'll help it out with some translated citations from some of the research I just got back. I'd love to put up all the citations, but on SLOW dial up, I just don't have the time to do that (about 5+ minutes per photo!) Without further ado, some translated citations: AWARDS LIST Last Name, First Name, Middle Name: Kostilev, Nikolai Ivanovich Military Rank: Guards Sergeant Place of Service: Communications lineman, ___ ____ Division, 76mm Gun, 11th Red Banner Motor Rifle Brigade, 10th MDK. Recommended for: Order of Glory, 3rd Class Year of Birth: 1921 Nationality: Ukrainian Party Membership: Member VKP(b) since 1944 Service in the Civil War, in later Battles in Service of the USSR and in the GPW (when and where): In the Patriotic War since 26 June 1941 to 13 December 1942 _____ Front from 1 January 1943 to 12 May 1944 on the 1st Ukrainian Front, and since 5 January 1945 on the 2nd and 3rd Belorussian Fronts Have any Wounds or Contusions in the Great Patriotic War: Heavily wounded in 1941, ___ 1943 and 12 May 1944. Lightly wounded on 3 July 1943 and suffered contusions in August 1942 and on 13 December 1942. From Which Time with the Red Army: 18 June 1940 Which Call-Up Station: _____ RVK in the City of Odessa Received Which Awards (from which order): None awarded Home Address: City of Kherson, Ulitas Zadalkina N. 108. Wife: Kostilev Sofia Ivanovna Short Concrete Description of Excellent Military Action or Service. During the battles against German invaders in Eastern Prussia he proved to be a courageous soldier. During the battles at the town of Mulkhausen on 24 January1945, he restored broken communications four times under the artillery fire. On 29 January 1945 during the battle at the village of Korwits, he fired his personal weapon point-blank at the Germans, thus preventing them to encircle an artillery piece. Comrade Kostilev personally killed eight Hitlerites. Comrade Kostilev deserves to be awarded the Order of Glory, 3rd Class. Commander Division Senior Lieutenant /Sokolov/ ___ February 1945

I think the HSU title was always open to "interpretation" with regard to who it was awarded to. Just look at the first few titles - given for an arctic rescue. Not to say that wasn't valorous, by any stretch, but it wasn't "combat valor" like what the Glory was awarded for. After WW2, the HSU title again went back to being awarded for service to the state. I believe this is the reason they developed the HSL - to account for many of the technical and agricultural (etc.) services that may have been awarded an HSU, but it wouldn't have been the right award (obviously) given what the HSU was awarded for during WW2. Look at many of the post-war HSUs though... Cosmonauts, aircraft test pilots, and more than a few generals that really didn't do all that much during the War, but were generals later and just NEEDED the pretty gold star on their chest! I think many of those awards could have been HSLs reasonably (like the Cosmonauts and the test pilots) but they weren't. The same goes for the Hero of Russia to the Olympian for showing "heroism and courage" while sitting in a hotel room ordering room service! Now go figure... Dave

Regarding a few things earlier in the thread... I just picked up a copy of the book with the Soviet order and medal regulations in it off eBay for $20 + $16US shipping. I figured for $36 it was worth adding the collection (though I was surprised I didn't own a copy yet! I've got the Russian Federation one, but not the Soviet one!) With regard to the poster set that pictures the Soviet awards, I used to have one of those... It's either still in storage or I chucked it years ago. I'm afraid that the latter might have been the end of it... Dave

I'm not a fan of it, but the photos on my monitor screen are compressed due to my dial up connection. For my vote though, I'm going to say that it's fake. Dave

Andrew: Yes, it is 3568186. Unfortunately, I don't have the medal with the group, I just have the single Glory 3rd. I did get an award card for a Valor with a 39XXXXX serial number. I believe I actually have that medal, but I think it's a 34XXXXX, and someone just made an incorrect entry on the AC. I'll check it when I get home tonight. Dave

ROTFL!!!!! Man, wouldn't THAT be a site to have!!!

Very cool... perhaps torpedo boats or submarines... Nice!!!

I would recommend: -For the ORB and OGPW2, get "everything" - award card, service history, citations and personnel file. Looks like an interesting group. -For the lower numbered ORB, get the award card, service history and citation. The personnel file would be a toss up on this one - it depends on your level of expendable funds you want to invest. For the others, I'd just the award card, citation and if finances permit it, the service histories. Hope that helps! Dave

You're welcome! Maybe I really SHOULD open my psycic shop! Dave

In the US military, if one is given a medical discharge or retirement, they are entitled to an extra amount of pay, or a portion of their pay that is tax-free corresponding with their level of disability leaving the service. Reading through books like the US Military Academy register, one would be surprised how many Colonels and Generals are "medically retired". It's nothing adverse - in fact, they're collecting more money in retirement than their peers! I have to imagine that a medical retirement/discharge in the Soviet Army likewise had some special perks, and if he was a doctor himself, he was undoubtedly aware of what ailments could qualify him for medical benefits when he left the service. Dave

Paul: Sorry for not being more clear! That's just an "example" Ukaz, as it's one of the few actually formally printed out military ones that are out there, so it makes for a nice presentation. This Ukaz was dated 28 October 1967, awarding decorations to many of the surviving Civil War veterans. These decorations included: Order of Lenin Order of the Red Banner Order of the Red Banner of Labor Badge of Honor Order of the Red Star Medal For Valor Medal For Valiant Labor Medal For Excellent Labor So, if you see an award with an Ukaz date of 28 October 67 (like the one for the Red Banner attached) you know almost 100% that it was given to a surviving Civil War veteran for their part in the Civil War. Dave

Andrew: Your wish is my command! AC Fronts... Dave

Here's what an official Ukaz, when published, actually looked like on paper. Sometimes they were just typewritten, but most were like this (this is for one giving awards to Civil War veterans in 1968.) Hope that helps! Dave