Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #891046
Awarded posthumously to tank driver Sgt Efrem Vasilevich Piskun (Ефрем Васильевич Пискун)
For being the first to break through enemy defences and capturing a bridge. When his tank was hit by an artillery projectile he abandoned the burning armoured vehicle and engaged the enemy infantry in a street battle for a period of 30 minutes. As result of this combat engagement, 40 enemy troops and 1 APC were destroyed before he lost his life.
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 26.8 gram without its screwplate and measures 44.01 mm in width and 46.28 mm in height.
In excellent condition with its perfect, crisp details. Even the higher laying hammer and sickle shows virtually no wear. Both the stunning red and white enamels are flawless without chipping, flaking or repairs. Its reverse is in equally great condition with few contact marks only and a nice toning to the silver. The order comes with its time period screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.
A truly beautiful piece with amazing research
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
Comrade PISKUN was a tank mechanic-driver and proved himself in battle as a courageous and decisive soldier.
He drove his tank for over 1100km without any mechanical failures nor incidents. He participated in reconnaissance missions on multiple occasions.
On 26 January 1945, his tank was the first to break through the enemy defences and into the town Alt-Tirschtiegel and captured the bridge. On that position, the tank was hit by an artillery projectile and the whole crew abandoned burning armoured vehicle. Utilising their machine-gun and hand grenades, the crew engaged the enemy infantry in a street battle for a period of 30 minutes. As the result of this combat engagement, 40 enemy troops and 1 APC were destroyed. In this combat engagement, comrade PISKUN fell the death of the brave in battle. He deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
The full translation of the research can be found below:
More information on Sgt Piskun can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery is a scan of a map of the 45th Guards Tank Brigade (45GuTBr) near Tierstiegel, a combat diary of the 45GuTBr, a combat diary of the 11th Guards Tank Corps and a picture of the insignia and of a tank of the 45GuTBr
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