Soviet Unusual Combination of Award Numbers

[NavyFCO]

I just picked this group up today. What's interesting to note are the award numbers of his two Red Stars and Red Banner. According to "Echoes of War..." both Red Stars should be part of the Ukaz dated 18 December 1956. His Red Banner should be part of the 30 December 1956 long service awards... So, the question is... If his Red Banner is for long service, what are the two Red Stars for? And where is his long service Red Star??? I don't know when he joined the Red Army, but I do know that he was a Junior Lieutenant at the end of the War, a Senior Lieutenant in 1947 and a Major in 1953. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. The fellow I bought the group from personally bought it from the veteran about 15 years ago, and mentioned that the veteran was very bitter towards the Soviet government as he felt that he had earned an Order of Lenin instead of "another" Red Banner, especially since all his contemporaries had earned one, and he hadn't.

Rather odd, eh? I have already requested research, so now it is a matter of waiting...

Dave

Edited July 3, 2006 by NavyFCO

[Guest Rick Research]

Love the "double" Red Banner stamp, and the presumably belated first one, whose number should make it a January-February 1944 award, yet it follows his April 1944 OPW1.

May 1945 second "single" ORB... but March 1945 OPW2...

MMM for long service 10 years, no serial number, 1948+... let's say he was a June 1941 type and got that in 1951, making ONE of the Red Stars indeed correct for a 1956 long service award.

Now if there was only ONE other award, I'd say that was a "real" one for

HUNGARY, of course.

But TWO seems rather excessive...

unless...

he was in TWO places where there was fighting in 1956, oh my.

[NavyFCO]

Here's a photo of the whole group... What a beauty! Real fighter pilot groups are super tough to come by!

[Gerd Becker]

Super-nice group, Dave Whats that badge for? Looks to be of older quality. When you have a bit time, i really would appreciate, if you could post some closeups of the ORB?s.

Thanks for posting this nice group here

Gerd

[order_of_victory]

Once again Dave you have showed a Fantastic Group

Order of Victory

[NavyFCO]

i really would appreciate, if you could post some closeups of the ORB?s.

Sure thing!

[NavyFCO]

And the reverse... Note that the two wartime ones were converted to screwback then unconverted later.

[Mondvor]

Very nice group Dave, thanks for sharing Would you please show the first page of the orderbook with the name of the hero.

About the combination of the awards. One of those Red Stars is a long-service award. The other could be either for a participation in some local conflicts (Hungary is possible, but also it could be Korea - especially for the fighter pilot) or participation in the testing of new planes (he could start a career of a test-pilot after second world war). Research would give the clear answer to all questions...

[Riley1965]

Dave,

What a wonderful group!!! Research...Research...Research!!!PLEASE

What is that badge?

Doc

Edited July 10, 2006 by Riley1965

[Gerd Becker]

Thanks for the closeups, Dave. Very nice!!

[Guest Rick Research]

Soooo, what units issued his medals? Then we'd already know if he was a

naval engineer

or a tank officer

or a quartermaster

...

[NavyFCO]

Soooo, what units issued his medals?

I think I mentioned it somewhere in the thread, but he was a fighter pilot. (See my July 4th post.)

As far as his awards, I figure that the later of the 2 Red Stars is a 30 December 1956 long service award, the earlier of the Red Stars is a 18 December 1956 award - perhaps for Hungary. The third Red Banner actually appears to have been awarded earlier in 1956 though, so I don't know that that one would be for, considering that it was issued before his long service Red Star!

I have more scans of the group at home... I can post them up this weekend.

Dave

[NavyFCO]

Just got in the research for the group.

The citations for the last Red Star and the last Red Banner are quite odd... he was awarded them for flight hours! There's got to be more to the citation though that I'm not seeing as I haven't translated them yet. (I think he might have been a test pilot?) Now the story that came from the seller about the man's last Red Banner seems right - the veteran was bitter because he recieved the Red Banner when his peers had received the Lenin for the same thing... I'm guessing that in the late 1950s they were handing out awards for extended flight hours to the top pilots. Quite interesting!

His wartime citations are quite good - several kills, many combat missions and the like. I'll get 'em scanned this week and perhaps the good moderator can move this thread into the researched groups forum.

Dave

[JimZ]

Had not seen this thread earlier. Lovely group Dave especially to have with reserach. Funny how time and again awardees express themselves as having received lesser orders instead of the ones their peers received. Makes you wonder as to why the yardstick was so different not only within different units but maybe even within the very same unit.

If the gentleman in question was indeed a test pilot wouldn't it be nice to know which hardware (now obsolete) to put his name to?

Jim

[Paul R]

Had not seen this thread earlier. Lovely group Dave especially to have with reserach. Funny how time and again awardees express themselves as having received lesser orders instead of the ones their peers received. Makes you wonder as to why the yardstick was so different not only within different units but maybe even within the very same unit.

If the gentleman in question was indeed a test pilot wouldn't it be nice to know which hardware (now obsolete) to put his name to?

Jim

What is the foreign medal?

Awesome group! I have not seen this one before!

BTW, this post has been moved... as requested.

[NavyFCO]

If the gentleman in question was indeed a test pilot wouldn't it be nice to know which hardware (now obsolete) to put his name to?

The citations actually have that info on them. I don't have them with me at the moment, but I can post that up when I pull them out.

[Riley1965]

What is the foreign medal?

Awesome group! I have not seen this one before!

BTW, this post has been moved... as requested.

Paul the foreign medal is from Poland. I'll have to fill in the blank later.

Doc

[JimZ]

The citations actually have that info on them. I don't have them with me at the moment, but I can post that up when I pull them out.

Cool!!! Pity you ain't a dentist...they usually pull them out in no time! May this be a case of an already lovely group which research glorifies even further...... we're waiting.... Impatiently in case u have not noticed

Jim

[Riley1965]

Paul the foreign medal is from Poland. I'll have to fill in the blank later.

Doc

Paul,

The Polish medal is the "Warsaw Medal 1939-1945" from the People's Republic of Poland.

Doc

[NavyFCO]

Just so no one's kept in suspense for too long, the aircraft that he was awarded the Red Star and Red Banner for flight hours in are: MiG-15, MiG-17, Yak-15, Yak-9 and Yak-9P. Quite an eclectic set of aircraft! At the time he was a squadron commander in the 486th Fighter Aviation Regiment. He was awarded the Red Star for 149 hours, 48 minutes of flight time (cumulative from 1 January 1956 to 16 February 1956) and the Red Banner for 208 hours, 46 minutes from 16 February to 23 October 1956. By 23 October 1956, his career total for flight time was 1471 hours and 32 minutes (from September 1942 onwards.)

Having been a pilot before, I find it a little odd to have received these awards for flight hours. Strangely, the fact that he was bitter because he didn't receive a Lenin for 208 flight hours (which I think should have been "normal operation" for an average pilot during a 10 month period) is nothing short of really weird. I wonder what the circumstances were that the air force was layering on these awards in 1956.

Will post some scans tomorrow.

Dave

[NavyFCO]

Here are his citations. I'm just uploading the text, and then translating the top portion to save on my download/upload time (yeah, I've got dial up at the moment...)

Here's one for his OGPW1, his first award:

1. Name: Toropigin, Konstantin Pavlovich

2. Military Rank: Senior Lieutenant

3. Place of service: Pilot, 845th Fighter Aviation Regiment

Recommended for the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class

1. Date of birth: 1921

2. Nationality: Russian

3. Date joined the Red Army: Since 1941

4. Party membership: Member VLKSM since 1938

5. Service in the war, where and when: In the Patriotic War since 9 April 1943. From 1 March 1944 on the Volkhovski Front, and from 1 March 1944 on the Leningrad Front

6. Any wounds or contusions: Has a wound of medium severity on his left thigh from a shell fragment that he recieved in an aerial battle on 25 March 1944 on the Leningrad Front.

7. Other awards recieved: None others

8. From which call up station: Lyubimskim RVK, Yaroslavskoi Oblast

9. Address of record: Yaroslavskoi Oblast, Lyubimskii Raion, P/O Zakovyakino Der. ISAD'

He has been participating in the Patriotic War against the German invaders since 9 April 1943 at Volkhov and Leningrad Fronts. During his service at the regiment and Front Comrade Toropygin has proved to be a firm, courageous and disciplined pilot as well as a genuine patriot of his Socialist Motherland. Taking part in the operations near IGA-SINIAVINO to liberate the town of NOVGOROD and Leningrad region from the German invaders, Comrade TOROPYGIN conducted 51 successful sorties without sustaining accidents or losing orientation. These sorties included: 24 sorties to escort IL-2 and PE-2 aircraft, 14 sorties to conduct reconnaissance of the enemy troops and 14 sorties to provide air support to the friendly troops. He has taken part in 5 air fights, personally bringing down 1 FW-190. Troughout his missions Comrade TOROPYGIN has never lost escorted ground attack aircraft and bombers to enemy fighters. Possessing a high level of combat training and excellent fighting skills Comrade TOROPYGIN has been displaying an outstanding courage and competence in tactics during combats against enemy aircraft.

On 25 March 1944 during a combat against 8 FW-190 as part of 4 Yak-7B Comrade TOROPYGIN brought down 1 FW-190 thanks to his calculated and resolute actions, courage and firmness. However, he came under attack himself and was wounded in a thigh by a shell fragment. Despite an acute pain he managed to disengage and flied safely back to his airfield.

During air fights he provides an outstanding assistance to his comrades-in-arms, which has made it possible for him to avoid losses due to imprudence or sluggishness.

He has been commended 5 times by the squadron and regiment commanders for successfully accomplishing combat missions.

CONCLUSION: According to the People?s Defense Commissar?s order # 294-43 he deserves the governmental award of the PATRIOTIC WAR Order,1st CLASS, for meeting high standards in accomplishing combat missions, displaying courage and firmness, destroying 1 FW-190 and successfully conducting 30 sorties.

Commander, 845th Fighter Aviation Regiment

Captain /Makarov/

4 April 1944

Edited December 6, 2006 by NavyFCO

[NavyFCO]

Back part of the OGPW1 citation....

[NavyFCO]

Here's the citation for his next award, the Red Banner

Name: Toropigin, Konstantin Pavlovich

Military Rank: Senior Lieutenant

Place of service: Senior Pilot, 845th Fighter Aviation Regiment

Recommended for the Order of the Red Banner

1. Date of birth: 1921

2. Nationality: Russian

3. Date joined the Red Army: Since 1941

4. Party membership: Member VLKSM since 1938

5. Service in the war, where and when: In the Patriotic War since April 1943 on the Volkhovski Front

6. Any wounds or contusions: Received a wound in his leg

7. Other awards recieved: Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class by Order of the 13th Air Army No. 052/N dated 24 April 1944

8. From which call up station: Lyubimskim RVK

9. Address of record: Yaroslavskoi Oblast, Lyubimskii Raion, P/O Zakovyakino Der. ISAD'. Father: Toropigin, Pavel Ivanovich, born 1896

Since 5 April 1943 he has been participating in the Patriotic War at Volkhov, Leningrad and the 3rd Baltic fronts as part of the 845th Fighter Regiment.

He has accomplished 30 successful sorties and flown a total of 33 h. 10 m. His missions have included escorting ground attack aircraft and bombers, providing air support to the friendly troops on the battlefield, conducting reconnaissance and delivering air strikes against the enemy troops.

He has conducted six air combats, which resulted in his bringing down an enemy ME-109 aircraft. He has delivered 120 air strikes against the enemy troops and equipment. For his performance he was awarded the PATRIOTIC WAR ORDER, 1st DEGREE. Since 4 April 1944, when he was awarded for the last time, Comrade TOROPYGIN has accomplished 39 sorties and flown a total of 39 h. 49 m. 8 sorties were aimed at providing air support to the friendly troops, 15 sorties were about conducting reconnaissance of the enemy and 7 sorties were accomplished to escort a scout photographer. During this time he has conducted 4 air fights and delivered 19 air strikes, which resulted in his destroying 2 vehicles and killing up to 15 enemy soldiers and officers. In an air combat he shot down an enemy aircraft, was wounded in his right leg but managed to fly his plane safely back to the airfield.

On 16 June 1944 he took part in the air raid against the airfield of SALO and personally destroyed an aircraft, blowed up a gasoline depot, destroyed up to 25 soldiers and officers, 3 motor vehicles, and 2 air defense sites.

CONCLUSION: He deserves the governmental award of the RED BANNER Order for participating in the air raid against the airfield of SALO, accomplishing 39 sorties, and destroying an aircraft.

Commander, Fighter Aviation Regiment

Major /Drekalov/

26 June 1944

Edited December 6, 2006 by NavyFCO

[NavyFCO]

Number three was submitted as a Red Banner, but was downgraded to the OGPW2.

1. Name: Toropigin, Konstantin Pavlovich

2. Military Rank: Lieutenant

3. Place of service: Commander detachment, 845th Fighter Aviation Rizhskoi Regiment

Recommended for the Order of the Red Banner

4. Date of birth: 1921

5. Nationality: Russian

6. Date joined the Red Army: Since 1941

7. Party membership: Member VLKSM since 1938

8. Service in the war, where and when: In the Patriotic War since April 1943 on the Volkhovski, 3rd Pribaltic and 2nd Belorussian Fronts

9. Any wounds or contusions: Received a wound in his leg

10. Other awards recieved: Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class by Order of the 13th Air Army No. 052/N dated 24 April 1944. Order of the Red Banner by Order of 14th Air Army No. 039/N dated 10 August 1944

11. From which call up station: Lyubimskim RVK

12. Address of record: Yaroslavskoi Oblast, Lyubimskii Raion, P/O Zakovyakino Der. Mashinovo. Father: Toropigin, Pavel Ivanovich

Comrade Toropygin has been participating in the Patriotic War since April 1943 as part of Riga 845th Fighter Regiment.

During his service at the regiment he has conducted 107 sorties and flown a total of 100 h. 45 m. to escort PE-2 and Il-2 aircraft, provide air support to the friendly troops, perform reconnaissance of the enemy troops and deliver air strikes against them at Volkhov and 3rd Baltic Fronts (as part of 14th Air Army ?). Comrade Toropygin has been awarded two governmental awards of the Red Banner Order and Patriotic War Order, 1st degree, for conducting 60 successful sorties, personally bringing down 1 enemy ME-109 aircraft and participating in the air raid against an enemy airfield, which inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

Since he was awarded a governmental award for the last time, Comrade Toropygin has conducted 47 successful sorties at 3rd Baltic and 2nd Byelorussian Fronts including 36 sorties to escort PE-2 and IL-2 aircraft, 8 sorties to provide air support to the friendly troops and 3 sorties to conduct reconnaissance of the enemy troops.

He has conducted 3 air combats, in which personally brought down a FW-190 aircraft. He has delivered 10 ( ?) air strikes against the enemy personnel and equipment, destroying up to 5 motor vehicles and killing up to 15 soldiers and officers.

At the 2nd Byelorussian Front, despite adverse weather conditions and limited airfield capacity, during the fights for the towns of Plonsk and Tanenberg, the flight under Comrade Toropygin?s command combined (?) successful sorties to escort Il-2 aircraft and air strikes against the enemy personnel and equipment.

Skillful escorting of ground attack aircraft towards the target and back to the airfield prevented losses from enemy fighters. The flight personnel were commended by their commanders ? for their actions and awarded two commendations of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Comrade Toropygin personally conducted 25 successful sorties to escort Il-2, perform reconnaissance, and deliver air strikes against the enemy troops and equipment. As the result of this he killed up to 10 soldiers and officers and damaged vehicles with cargo.

Conclusion: for the successful accoplishment of combat missions, assigned by his command and displayed bravery and valour; for the accomplished (since the last award) 47 successful sorties, for bringing down an enemy FW-190 aircraft deserves to be awarded the Red Banner order.

Commander, 845th Riga Fighter Aviation Regiment

Major /Drekalov/

16 February 1945

Edited December 6, 2006 by NavyFCO

[NavyFCO]

and the reverse....