Description
Soviet Medal for the Defense of Leningrad
Comes with its rare and early booklet to Lieutenant Vasily Grigorievich Malko (Василий Григорьевич Малько)
The medal is made of gold plated brass and measures 32.12 mm in diameter, 37.84 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 16.8 grams without its suspension.
In nice condition with a medium patina and light overall wear. Both sides show several small dings and scratches but its details are still perfectly crisp. Its suspension and ribbon are time period to the medal its connection ring has been cut.
The medal comes with its rare early booklet which is decent condition. The inlay portraying Malko’s name and rank ‘lieutenant’ has been reinforced on its back side. It is dated 17 November 1945 and is numbered А.Д. 85275
The first page shows a little poem and reads:
“FOR THE DEFENSE OF LENINGRAD”
Your distant grandson will take the Heroic Medal with reverence
From generation to generation,
she will pass to posterity.
In it, everything that you lived is relentless,
You yourself are in the metal of it,
You yourself are depicted on it.
And the line of fighters and the brilliance of the bayonet,
the Admiralty community.
“For the defense of Leningrad” –
Such an inscription for the ages!
You were the first to take this fight,
You will not be the last to win.
Splinters whistle over the Neva,
More bursts with summer thunder,
Still our day in labor, in struggle
Burns with fire and blood pours.
What the homeland believes in you.
For the unchanging path of the
fighter your high reward.
And you, the defender of Leningrad, –
You will be faithful to the end.
Boris Likharev
Some information on Lieutenant Malko can be found here
Scarce with such an early award booklet
Please contact us with questions
