Description
Documented group of Awards
Awarded to Colonel Sergey Alexandrovich Bardin (Сергей Александрович Бардин)
For decisive leadership and exceptional coordination of artillery and infantry during the Siege of Leningrad and later in the Karelian Isthmus offensive, where he assumed command of a rifle division after its commander was killed under enemy fire
This group consists of the following items:
Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #55000
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 46.37 mm in height, 43.84 mm in width and weighs 29.2 grams without its screwplate.
In outstanding, near-mint condition with sharp, crisp details – even the raised edges of the hammer and sickle remain pristine.The order has never been disassembled and the red and white enamels are absolutely stunning with no signs of repair, dings, or scratches. The screwpost remains unshortened, and the order includes a well-fitted silver screwplate.
Impossible to upgrade!
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #158138
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. Measures 44.77 mm in width, 47.60 in height and weighs 26.1 grams without its screwplate.
In superb condition with few traces of wear and an appealing patina to the silver on its reverse. The red and white enamels are well preserved without repairs and show some small dings and contact marks only. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with a late wartime screwplate which fits well.
Order of the Red Star #2278619
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 48.46 mm in width, 46.45 in height and weighs 30.8 grams without its screwplate. It appears the engraver at the mint made a mistake with the second digit. It was changed from a 7 to a 2.
In equally nice condition to the previous award with flawless wine red enamels and crisp details to the raised areas like the soldier on the center medallion. The order comes with its post war screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.
Order Booklet
The group is accompanied by its original order booklet which is in excellent condition. It shows an original, early picture of Colonel Bardin on the first page. All of the 3 awards above are mentioned together with several other awards which are not present iin this lot. Among which an very low numbered order of the Red Star for fighting during the Soviet-Finnish War.
Scarce in this condition!
Short translation of the citation for the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class:
On June 16, while carrying out the assignment of the Chief of the Operations Group General Vasiliev, under artillery fire, he approached a ravine where the commander of the 318th Rifle Division was located. Not reaching the commander’s location by 30–40 meters, a shell exploded, killing the commander. Lieutenant Colonel Bardin organized the division’s command and preserved its combat capability. He took command, set objectives, and managed the division in battle.
Lieutenant Colonel Bardin, being Chief of Staff of the Operations Group of the Guards, has repeatedly demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in organizing coordinated operations of artillery and infantry units during the breakthrough of the enemy’s third defensive line on the Karelian Isthmus.
Worthy of the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class
Short translation of the citation for the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class:
Comrade BARDIN S.A., being Chief of Staff of the Operational Group of Guards Mortar Units of the Leningrad Front, in the period of preparation and conduct of combat operations to break through the heavily fortified enemy defensive lines at Pulkovo, Krasnoye Selo, and Ropsha, ensured timely preparation and delivery of rocket projectiles to the combat units and places of combat employment. He visited firing positions and ensured their readiness for combat. Through Comrade BARDIN’s efforts, the 318th and 322nd Guards Mortar Regiments operated smoothly under difficult conditions, delivering effective fire on enemy targets.
From the start of combat operations, under the clear and skillful leadership of Comrade BARDIN, uninterrupted communication between regiments and HQ was ensured. Documentation for formations and units of the GML (Guards Mortar Units) was timely and competently prepared.
He personally worked hard on the development, planning, and distribution of fire missions and timely brought these down to the firing units. The good combat coordination of the Guards Mortar Regiments with rifle and tank units, which ensured high effectiveness of their fire and accurate support of the advancing troops, is a direct result of Comrade BARDIN’s efforts.
Comrade BARDIN and his mortar units participated in combat over a wide front: Oranienbaum, Narva, Strugi Krasnye, Pskov.
Comrade BARDIN did not abandon personal operational command of the mortar units during the advance, ensuring clear control, as well as supervising the delivery of needed ammunition to the front. He personally led the repair and restoration of damaged equipment. No cases of ammunition shortages occurred.
For competent development of operational documents, effective command of mortar regiments, and for successful execution of combat missions during the offensive, Comrade BARDIN deserves to be awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class. [Later downgraded to a 2nd class]
We found an online biography of Colonel Bardin. A summary is provided below, and the full account can be read here:
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Born: 5 July 1906, Moscow
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Red Army Service: 1928–1931, 1932–1938, 1939–1954
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Rank: Colonel (promoted 15 January 1943)
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Education:
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Leningrad Polytechnic Institute (2 years)
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Artillery courses in Detskoye Selo
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Higher Artillery Courses at the F. E. Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy (1946)
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Pre-WWII Service:
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Served as platoon and battery commander, instructor, and regimental school head
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Participated in the Soviet-Finnish War (1939–1940)
World War II Service:
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Served on the Leningrad, Southwestern, Stalingrad, Don, Voronezh, Steppe, and Baltic fronts
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Commanded various Guards Mortar (Katyusha) units
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Participated in major operations:
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Siege and defense of Leningrad
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Battle of Stalingrad
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Defense and counteroffensive near Kharkov (briefly encircled)
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Belgorod–Kharkov Offensive
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Vyborg Offensive
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Baltic campaigns
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Courland pocket coordination in 1945
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From mid-1943, served in high-level staff roles planning use of rocket artillery (Guards Mortar Units)
Postwar Service:
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Completed higher artillery studies
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Served as senior instructor in artillery fire at a top Soviet officer school
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Discharged: 5 March 1954
Awards:
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Order of the Red Banner
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Order of the Patriotic War (1st and 2nd Class)
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Two Orders of the Red Star
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Several medals
More information on Colonel Bardin can be found here and here
Please contact us with questions
