Description
Complete Documented Group of Soviet Awards
Awarded to machine gunner on a T-34 tank, Sergeant (later Major in the KGB!) Boris Mikhailovich Stepanov (Борис Михайлович Степанов)
For demonstrated exceptional bravery and skill during several battles on his T-34 Tank. While carrying out this task, he entered a burning tank, successfully navigated through enemy lines, and eliminated up to 16 enemy soldiers and officers during the mission
Note that the Bravery Medals are early ones awarded on rectangular suspensions. Rarely seen!
This group of Soviet awards consists of the following items:
Order of the Red Banner #104502
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 45.68 mm in height, 37.34 mm in width and weighs 24.9 grams without its suspension. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse.
In excellent, above average condition. The details are all visible and even the raised areas like the center wreath and the flame on top of the torch show light wear only with much of the original gilding still present. The white enamels are flawless and the red enamels are generally well preserved but show some minor superficial flaking, barely visible for the naked eye. Its connection ring has been cut
Medal for Bravery #278057
Made of silver and red lacquer. Measures 37.22 mm in diameter, 41.87 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 26.3 grams without its suspension.
The medal is in worn condition but most details are still perfectly visible. Most of the red lacquer is worn off but a small amount is still present. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for Bravery #340046
Made of silver and red lacquer. Measures 37.21 mm in diameter, 42.70 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 27.1 grams without its suspension.
This Medal for Bravery is in better condition than the previous one with much of the original red lacquer still present. The raised areas like the tank and the planes still show their edges crisp. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for Combat Merit
Made of silver and red enamels. Measures 32.17 mm in diameter, 37.02 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 19.3 grams without its suspension.
In excellent condition with crisp details and all of the original enamels still present. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad
Made of brass. Measures 32.10 mm in diameter, 37.15 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 16.6 grams without its suspension.
The obverse of the medal is in great condition with its details perfectly crisp and an appealing toning to the brass. Its reverse shows more wear with some of the raised areas lacking details. Still, the lettering is perfectly readable.
Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus
Made of brass. Measures 32.07 mm in diameter, 37.69 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.3 grams without its suspension.
In similar condition as the Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad with its obverse being better preserved than its reverse.
Medal for the Victory over Germany
Made of brass. Measures 32.11 mm in diameter, 37.24 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.2 grams without its suspension.
Early piece with separately soldered eyelet in excellent condition with much of its original luster still present.
Jubilee Medal for 20 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
Made of brass. Measures 32.09 mm in diameter, 37.03 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 16.2 grams without its suspension.
In excellent, problem free condition
Documents
This grouping comes with the original documents of all awards mentioned above. They are in problem free condition with all pages present and firmly attached to their cover. Also in this lot is a ticket booklet for free transport.
Please note that the document for the Jubilee Medal commemorating 20 years of Victory indicates that Stepanov rose all they way through the ranks from Sergeant during the war to Major in the KGB in 1965 (!)
Translation of the citations:
Order of the Red Banner #104502
Stepanov Boris Mikhailovich is nominated for a government award for, during battles on December 4–5, 1943, in the area of Bilyagan and height 101.6, ensuring secure communication between the tank company and command.
Under intense enemy fire, he personally delivered communication equipment, crossing the forward edge of the enemy’s defense line. While carrying out this task, he entered a burning tank, successfully navigated through enemy lines, and eliminated up to 16 enemy soldiers and officers during the mission. His actions directly contributed to the success of the operation.
Medal for Bravery #278057
Radio telegraphist – machine gunner T-34, Senior sergeant Stepanov Boris Mikhailovich that in the battle of 26-28.5.43, being a radio operator on the tank of the company Commander in difficult conditions, he ensured reliable and uninterrupted communication with the Regiment Command
Medal for Bravery #340046
Radio operator-machine gunner Stepanov Boris Mikhailovich distinguished himself by the fact that during the battle on 16.07.43 at Height 114.1, he personally eliminated 2 enemy soldiers and held his position with distinction.
Also included in the picture gallery are the Award Decrees for the medals for the Defense of Stalingrad and the Caucasus which match their document numbers
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