Description
Documented Order of Glory 3rd class #266855
Awarded to Private Ivan Grigorievich Stepenko (Иван Григорьевич Степенко)
For displaying exceptional bravery and dedication in battle. When his battalion was surrounded, he volunteered to eliminate an enemy machine gun, killing three gunners with a grenade before using their own weapon to kill 13 more, forcing the rest to flee. Later, while setting up a communication line, he encountered seven enemy soldiers, killed four, and captured three. Throughout the offensive, he personally eliminated 35 enemy soldiers (!)
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 47.16 mm in width, 49.35 mm in height and weighs 24.8 grams without its suspension.
In nice condition with most details still details still visible and medium overall wear. The enamels on both the banner and star is fully original without repairs and shows some minor flaking only, not penetrating to the silver. Its connection ring has not been cut and it comes with a time period, double layer, steel suspension.
Its award booklet in excellent condition but with all pages present and firmly attached to its cover. Two Medals for Bravery are mentioned next to this Order of Glory which are not present in this lot.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
In the battles against the German occupators, Comrade Stepenko demonstrated devotion to his motherland and bravery in battle. On January 21-22, 1945, when communications battalion was surrounded by the enemy forces, he volunteered to demolish the enemy machine gun with grenades. He snuck in through a hidden way, killed three machine gun shooters with a grenade, and then shot thirteen Germans with the occupators’ machine gun and caused the rest to run away. On February 02nd 1945, while establishing the communication line to one of the division units, he encountered seven Germans in the woods. Retaining his cool, he opened machine gun fire, killed four Germans and brought the other three as captives to the battalion. For the duration of the offensive battle actions, Comrade Stepenko included in his personal count thirty-five killed German soldiers. For demolishing thirty-five German soldiers with his machine gun, for taking three German soldiers captive, and for the timely installation of the communication line while simultaneously actively leading the battle action against the enemy, all the while demonstrating bravery and courage, he merits the award with Order “Glory 3rd degree”.
The full translation of the citation can be read here (also those for his Medals for Bravery)
More info on Private Stepenko can be found here
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