Bob

Thanks - i need to make a note to look up old materials as (while not OG 1st class) I vaguely recall that there were OG 3rd class (perhaps also 2nd?) awarded pre 1945 to Mongolians. In any case, that does not belong in this thread.

Easy question to ask, perhaps not so easy to answer. any OH 1st class awarded tied to actions in/near Mongolia?

Documented set of for a Labor Glory cavalier - Matrenicheva E.N. Order of Labor Glory 1st Class. Award # 0177. Awarded on Dec. 5, 1985. Order of Labor Glory 2nd Class. Award # 2877. Awarded on Dec. 27, 1976. Order of Labor Glory 3rd Class. Award # 28698. Awarded on Feb. 14, 1975. Includes the special "Full Cavalier of Orders of Labor Glory" Orders Book (incl. a photo of the recipient) as well as the booklet for the 3rd and 2nd class as well as 2 McDaniel authentications. Hopefully there is a path to research. Am amazed at how volatile (downward!) the prices for these sets have been considering their rarity.

You are correct, it's not a Tamara specific document. It does include refence to the person having been awarded a Tamara (the purple stamp).

With Mongolia collecting, not much is 'standard' and that's part of what makes it a lot of fun.

Another document for a Tamara - 13/12/1918 This one from Josef Schmid from the 15th Jager Regiment The handwriting in the document is not easy to decypher - it looks like he was also awarded an iron cross 2nd class and a wound badge

It's awfully quiet on the Albania collecting front - and the wretched decision to eliminate the dedicated Albania section didn't help either! - but I for one do appreciate your posts which keep breathing life into things here!

Remarkable how years later there is more to be found online about sorkin incl pics https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naum_Sorkin

I do not have a copy and if anybody can help source a copy, I'd love to get one. Apparently not much new actual "information" (e.g. data on manufacturing runs, serials numbers, etc. is all obtained from existing online sources and Urnukh's "bible". However, appealing pics on Mongolian awards in possession of the Moscow/Leningrad mint as well as pictures of award documents to Soviet citizens (e.g. Brezhnev). Here's some links to pics of the book: Новая книга: Награды Монголии - Советским Гражданам (forums-su.com) Награды Разных Стран Мира. - Монголия - Книга "Награды Монголии - Советским Гражданам." (Лот: 014/Монгол) (zasluga.ru) And this youtube channel (with multiple mongolian award videos - in Russian unfortunately) appears related to the authors:

What puzzles me is the selection process. Only 900 or so cavaliers means it was very prestigious to be awarded a 1st class. But based on what? When I read above that a factory mechanic got one, surely there's millions (?) of others in similar jobs. Was there an aspect here of it not so much being merit based but more intended for propaganda purposes - i.e. setting a good example?

This same set just 'resold' for roughly 6K USD at the New York Sale auction. What did the papers say about inflation again?

If you bid on that and then complain once you get it as being fake, he'll say "I never said it was Cuban" Pay close attention to how he advertises it: " «"Golden Star" of the Hero of Labor of Caribbean»"

I recently acquired an original soviet as well as an original mongolian border plate. would love to add a DDR one to it - where to find a true original?

Two partisan badges just in - one unnumbered and one nr 25 Awfully quiet here and running out of things to post!

Soyombo nr 152

I should add, Gongor was awarded a Soviet Order of October revolution at the celebration of 50 years of Mongolian People's Army anniversary. It seems like the OoO were numbered 294-309 (based on various sources) and based on some triangulation of different data points, Colonel Gongor Shagdar was awarded nr 304.

Mongolia, Army, Modern Mongolia, Economics. Mongolia Army: History and Modernity (nemelianov.ru) Interesting reference here to Sorkin being a part of the first group of 12 Soviet military advisors being sent to Mongolia (June 1923).

‘Khalkhyn Gol Battle lasted 4 years, not 4 months’ (theubposts.com) Interesting discussion on the starting date / length of the Khalkhin Gol Battle with a reference to Gongor. "In my case, I agree with historians and researchers who claim that the battle began in 1989. I think this is more accurate because the Japanese and Manchurian aggressions at Mongolian borders between 1935 and 1939 weren’t just small-scale armed conflicts or border attacks. Considering that relatively large military forces attacked the border repeatedly, the battle had already begun by January 1935. During this period, more than 1,000 Japanese and Manchurian soldiers fought at the border with similar number of tanks and aircrafts. We can’t forget that national heroes such as Sh.Gongor and D.Demberel were recognized amid the numerous battles of bloodshed. This is proof that an undeclared war had set off in Khalkhgol soum."

"Gongor Shagdaryn (1912-1992). Born in Bayankhutag county of Khentii province. Bestowed the title of Hero of MPR when serving as the Commander of the Border Guard checkpoint at a place named “Bulan Ders”. (Hero Title Decree #4, 29 January 1936). Comrade Gongor finished a special course for commanders of tank squads in Bayantumen town in May 1936. Sergeant Gongor led a border patrol consisting of two other border guards at the end of January 1936 around a place called “Bulan Ders”. On a snow stormy evening, the patrol spotted 10 Japanese scouts crossing the border. Comrade Gongor dispatched one of his comrades back to unit camp to call for reinforcements. During the shooting from both sides, the horses of the border guards took off. Sergeant Gongor ordered another comrade to search and find the horses. In order to confuse the enemies, Gongor used his and his comrades’ sheepskin coats as dummies of border guards. Taking advantage of poor visibility due to snowstorm and darkness, Gongor attacked the enemies from behind. He used his advantageous position to eliminate most of the enemies and forced the rest to retreat. Comrade Gongor served for the Mongolian Armed Forces until May 1946. He started his military career as a private and completed as the Commander of a military unit. Gongor was one of the founders of the Mongolian Hunters’ Society. He also held the title of the Best National Archer of the Mongolian People’s Republic. He published his memoirs “In remote Tamsagbulag” in 1984. Gongor was awarded many orders and medals." Page #7, Book “Hall of Fame and Feats”

At the bottom of the following thread is a picture of a very rare brass ribbon for a Hero of Mongolia gold star Hero and labour Hero of the Mongolian People's republic - Page 11 - People's Republic Mongolia - Gentleman's Military Interest Club (gmic.co.uk) Through good fortune an Order of October Revolution (nr 304) also came with that ribbon and research has confirmed it was awarded to Research has confirmed it was awarded to Gongor Shagdar - the first Hero of MPR (29th January, 1936), awarded for fighting back against the Japanese during an armed clash in 1936. Therefore also close to certain that the brass ribbon is also for Gongor Shagdar. Attached a picture of the OOR. More pics of Gongor Shagdar on the thread linked above.

Posting some additional pics: 1. A photograph of Gongor Shagdar where he is wearing his Hero Star + Khalkhin Gol badge + 20 years anniversary badge + brass ribbons. The photograph is probably taken 1959 or 1960. He is wearing his 1940s uniform with the Brigade Commander insignia. 2. Memoirs of Gongor “In remote Tamsagbulag”. The paperback book was published in 1984. It describes his story starting his military service in eastern Mongolia in 1934. And finishes 1936 after he becomes the hero. The book has nice b&w photos of him. 3. Small MPR hero series booklet on Gongor. Describes his feats and also has some interesting information. For example Gongor was awarded a rank of Brigade Commander in 1941 after his unit was selected as the best unit during the 20th anniversary of People’s revolution army wide inspections. Also he was the Best National Archer title holder and renowned hunter. Researched Order of October Revolution #304 - awarded to first Hero of Mongolia - Russia: Soviet Orders, Medals & Decorations - Gentleman's Military Interest Club (gmic.co.uk) On the Soviet forum, I've posted pics of the Order of October Revolution which now arrived in my hands.

Cross-reference here: OoR in this Ukaz likely had a serial nr range of 294-309 Hero and labour Hero of the Mongolian People's republic - Page 11 - People's Republic Mongolia - Gentleman's Military Interest Club (gmic.co.uk)

Interesting development. Attached link to a thread on General Suurin Baldan confirms that Gongor (to whom above brass Hero ribbon apparently belonged) was also awarded a Soviet Order of October revolution. The list shown in the link provides the names of Mongolians who received awards at the celebration of 50 years of Mongolian People's Army anniversary. It seems like the OoO were numbered 294-309 (based on various sources) and based on some triangulation of different data pints, Colonel Gongor Shagdar was awarded nr 304. Now, it just so happens that OoO nr 304 was in the hands of the same person who had acquired above brass ribbon many, many years ago and he insisted that the ribbon and the OoR had both belonged to Gongor. While not direct evidence, the research confirms this to be extremely likely. Now, just to get my hands on the OoR... General Suurin Baldan - Page 3 - People's Republic Mongolia - Gentleman's Military Interest Club (gmic.co.uk)

No ribbon for the Hero of Labor as the award itself had to be worn.

NumisBids: Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. E-Auction 21, Lot 1636 : Mongolia The Order of Hero Markers marked 'VM' for Vincent Mayer of... Deal of the century (assuming the item is real), and unfortunately missed it. Quite a few Mongolian Hero Stars came up for auction during the past 2 years. Amazing how the auction house messed up the description on Hero Star nr 40.