Soviet Strange origin, but maybe interesting

[Ed_Haynes]

You never know what you will find where. Recently, in New Delhi, India, I picked up two Soviet medals in a junk lot (mainly of Motherhood Orders) apprently sent for melting.

1- Medal for Gallantry, Type 1, var. 1/2 - No. 3367

[Ed_Haynes]

2- Medal for Combat Service Medal [sic], Type 2, var 2 - 1492295

[Ed_Haynes]

These may have come as recycling straight from the (former) USSR but may also have come from Afghanistan.

Research requests are out, so watch, and wait, and wait, and . . . .

You never know what you'll find where.

(And they were really, REALLY cheap! Under US $40 for both.)

Edited July 20, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Gerd Becker]

Great catch, Ed. I really like the Bravery Medal, i??ll check again later, when i have more time...

[Paul R]

Great catch, Ed. I really like the Bravery Medal, i??ll check again later, when i have more time...

Great find Ed!! I hope that you are getting that bravery medal researched!! I have not seen such a low number!

[Wild Card]

Hi Ed,

It is really none of my business, except to say that I am thankful that these two medals were saved from who knows what? Stories of pieces that have gone to melting pots are too many and, so unnecessary. It is especially rewarding that the gallantry medal has such a low number.

Congratulations and thanks,

Wild Card

[Ed_Haynes]

Got back the research on the MMM 1492295 (but the bravery medal is still under search). Translations are (as usual) slower in coming, so I beg translation/summary assistance in the interim so I have some clue what I have here.

The award record card, obverse:

Edited December 4, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

And the fairly blank reverse.

[Ed_Haynes]

Recommendation, part 1.

[Ed_Haynes]

Part 2.

[Ed_Haynes]

Up the chain of command . . .

[Ed_Haynes]

. . . and, finally.

[Ed_Haynes]

So, two questions:

1- What does all this mean?

2- How did it get to Delhi?

I suspect some can help with "1" and thanks in advance.

We may never know about "2", but it has been saved from melting down as scrap and is on the way to having its history restored.

[Guest Rick Research]

Oh God. Oh God.

[Guest Rick Research]

OK, I've got a grip.

From the typed version citation, which is MUCH easier than the wretchedly scrawled wartime-type ARC:

Ryshkov, Grigory Mikhailovich

Private

Shoemaker (Sapozhnik)

in 77th Independent Signals Company, 227th Ground Attach (Shturmovik) Aviation "Berdichevsky, Order of the Red Banner" Division.

(Cobbler in the signals center of a Soviet Stuka division )

2) Born 1904, Russian

3) Red Army since February 1942

4) Not a Party member

5) In action July 1943 aroundkursk, from October on right bank of the Dnieper.

6) Wounded in left thigh July 1943 near Kursk, and in October 1943 wounded in foot per certificate No. 3808 A

7) no previous awards

8) called up from Uzgeisky Local Veterans Commissariat, Omsk Oblast

9) Home address village of Merzaaki a typo?), Uzgeisky Raion, Omskaya Oblast, Kirghiz SSR.

Citation:

In July 1943 took part as a member of the 86th Rifles Regiment in combat for the Kursk salient, where he was wounded in the left thigh. Wounded for the second time in the left foot on the right bank of the Dnieper on 10 October 1943. Subsequently found himself in treatment at an evacuation hospital.

For the period (he) stayed with us in the 77th ISC, from December 1943, proved himself an exceptional, disciplined, and industrious soldier. Excellent work as a cobbler, progressing in days great tasks, repairing 10 pairs of shoes a day. On the question of making instruments, seeking materials, developed big readiness and initiative. In the spring of 1944 in the absence of materials for soles, used old pipe sockets (!?! or something related to cartridge pouches?) from gummed fabric for them. This method was entirely his own invention. Comr. Ryzhkov repaired shoes in his spare time as a soldier.

Deserves (the usual boilerplate)

CO 77th ISCo Sr Lt Gubin (off page) 44

Agreed, "Vrid." Commander 227th GAA "BRB" Div, Col. Zhidkov 30.9.44

Awarded by decree 227th 2.10.44, Major Pasechny

Weird, weird weird.

ACROSS the Hindu Kush this came, as scrap metal hardly worth the cartage, to be literally grabbed out of the melting pot by Ed.

And I tell you folks-- it should be kept in a spot-lit velvet lined case. This is a tale no fiction writer could dream up.

[Ed_Haynes]

So used to mochis in "my world", . . .

Edited December 4, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks, Rick, for this I owe you -- my day is made!!

[paddywhack]

now THAT is weird yet COOL citatian!and to think it nearly got melted down never to have been know!!!!imagine what else has gone into the pot1!

[Ed_Haynes]

Translations in!!

Record card:

Record card

1. Last name: RYSHKOV (in the order book RYZHKOV)

2. First, middle names: Grigory Mikhailovich

3. Military rank: Rank

4. Sex:

5. Year of birth: 1904

6. Place of birth:

7. Party membership since: Non-party

8. Education:

9. Nationality: Russian

10. In the Red Army since:

11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position occupied when awarded: 77th detached intercommunication company, 227th assault aviation division ? boot-maker

12. Current place of service and position:

13. Home address of the awardee: Kirghiz SSR, Oshskaya region, Uzgensky district, Merzaaki village

14. Previous awards

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

Checked

Military Merits medal 1492295 Temporary Certificate

B-696215 Order 019/N of October 2, 1944

For the fights against German invaders.

227th assault aviation division

[Ed_Haynes]

MMM:

All lines to be mandatory completed

AWARD CITATION

1. First, middle and last names Ryzhkov Grigory Mikhailovich

2. Rank Soldier

3. Position, unit Shoemaker of the 77th detached intercommunication company, of the 227th Berdichevsk, holding the Order of the Red Banner assault aircraft division

Is recommended for Military Merits medal

4. Year of birth 1904

5. Nationality Russian

6. Party membership Non-party

7. Participation in the civil war and other military actions aimed at the defense of the USSR (where and when) July, 1943, the battle of Kursk; October,1943, on the right-bank of the Dnepr

8. Wounds or contusions received during the Patriotic War July, 1943, in the battle of Kursk, left thigh wound; October,1943, foot wound; Certificate № 3808A

9. In the Red Army since February,1942

10. Drafted by what district military commissariat Uzgensky district military commissariat, Osh region

11. Previous awards None

12. Permanent home address (of the prospective awardee or his/her family) Uzgensky district, Kirghiz SSR, Merzajaki village;

I. Brief description of personal feat or merits

In July 1943, numbering the 86th rifle regiment he participated in the battles on Kurskaya Duga where he was wounded in the left thigh. Next time he was wounded in the left foot on the right-bank of the Dnepr. Later he was treated at an evacuation hospital.

In the duration of stay in the 77th detached intercommunication company since December 1943 he proved himself as a perfectly disciplined and industrious soldier. He works well as a shoemaker having time to repair up to 10 pairs of shoes a day, being very busy. He shows much initiative in manufacturing tools and searching for the materials. In spring 1944 in the absence of materials for soles he used old branch pipes of the rubbered fabrics. This method of manufacturing entirely justified itself. The shoes repaired by the comrade Ryzhkov is used by the soldiers for a long time.

Conclusion: Comrade Ryzhkov deserves the government award, Military Merits medal ? for his active participation in battles defending our Motherland and his great and selfless work in our military unit.

Commander of the 77th detached intercommunication Company of the 227th Berdichevsk assault aircraft division holding the Order of the Red Banner

Senior Lieutenant (signed) /Gubin/

??, 1944

II. Conclusion of the Higher Command

Agree. Reward with the Military Merits medal.

Temporarily acting for the commander of the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division

Lieutenant Colonel (signed) /Zhidkov/

September 30, 1944.

By the order to the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division No 019/N of October 2, 1944 is awarded with Military Merits medal.

Head of the personnel department of the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division

Major (signed) /Pasechny/