Description
Soviet Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #3811 Duplicate Award
Awarded to Colonel (later General Major) Ignatij Ivanovich Mikhalchuk (Игнатий Иванович Михальчук)
For leading and organizing the political troops. By ensuring the combat cohesion among the troops Colonel Mikhalchuk contributed to the huge successes of the 10th Army
By the end of his career Mikhalchuk received 5(!) Orders of the Red Banner in total
Made of silver and enamels and produced in 1951-1957. Measures 36.41 mm in width, 45.50 mm in height and weighs 24.8 gram without its suspension. The mint mark is located above the serial number in two lines.
This original order is in superb condition and next to impossible to upgrade. All details are perfectly crisp and the stunning red and white enamels are flawless. The orders shows an appealing patina on both sides and all of the gold plating is still present. Its connection ring is uncut and the double layer steel suspension is time period to the order.
Duplicate awards were given by the Soviet Government to a recipient, as a replacement piece, in exchange for the same order or medal of an earlier type or when awards were lost due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control like combat or natural disasters. These pieces are extremely rare.
This situation appears to be even more exceptional. At the time General Mikhalchuk received his 5th Red Banner in 1953, it was decided his Red Banners without a numbered shield should be replaced by numbered pieces (see registered card with old serial numbers crossed out). The Red Banner in this listing was originally a screwback so they exchanged this one for a contemporary piece too, which perfectly matches the variation used for this duplicate because these were produced from 1951 until 1957. We are not sure who took the initiative for this award exchange, but it could be Mikhalchuk requested this himself being a General.
A beautiful ‘Duplicate’ piece to a real Soviet General with a very long and detailed citation!
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
“Colonel MIKHALCHUK has been fighting on the front of struggle against the German invaders since the beginning of the war in June 1941. He is a participant of many battles. For over 2 years, colonel MIKHALCHUK has been the head of the political departments of the field armies. In this period, he proved himself as an honest and fully devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland. On many occasions of difficult and complicated combat situation, he always executed decisive measures for restoring the proper order, organisation, discipline, and moral among the personnel. He actively leads his political troops, such as the political work continues uninterruptedly in the ever-changing combat situation. In the combat engagements of August-September 1943, the army troops successfully executed the missions and exhibited high examples of Soviet patriotism, which was possible due to high level of moral and political awareness among the troops. The latest period of the ongoing restructuring of the political corps resulted in the improvements of political activities on the company and battalion level. The influx of the new members (by distinguished servicemen) has increased. Only during the August month, there were registered 4172 new party members and 827 new Komsomol members. The Communist and Komsomol members are rightfully the vanguards of the combat struggle and the inspiration to all. During the latest period, the 10 Army continued its advance to the West and inflicted severe casualties upon the enemy. The army liberated over 200 settlements, captured extensive war booty (50 cannons, 100 mortars, 35 depots, etc), and eliminated over 15000 Hitlerites. The political corps of the army acts as one cohesive force and is active in ensuring the combat cohesion among the troops. Colonel MIKHALCHUK dedicated a lot of effort to organisation of the political troops during the offensive operations and led them by personal example of courage, bravery, and boldness. He loves his political work. He is closely connected to the common troops and enjoys their respect and looked up to. He fully dedicates himself to the cause of complete destruction of the Hitlerism.
He fully deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.”
The full translation of the research can be read below:
More info on General Mikhalchuk here
Also included in the picture gallery are two digital scans of Mikhalchuk’s signature and a picture in a book portraying him with the Guards Banner
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