Description
Complete Documented Group of Orders and Medals
Awarded to Sergeant Mikhail Iosifovich Babikov (Михаил Иосифович Бабиков)
For completing 36 combat sorties in IL-2 and IL-10 aircraft, repelling 12 enemy fighter attacks, destroying 8 vehicles, cargo, and anti-aircraft positions, and killing over 60 enemy soldiers. In one mission he repaired his gun and extinguished flames mid-flight under fire, shot down two enemy fighters, and survived being shot down by four fighters
Please note Sgt. Babikov received two jubilee Orders of the Patriotic War 2nd (1985 and 1988). This is confirmed on Pamyat and is rarely seen
Order of the Red Star #1811211
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.11 mm in width, 45.80 mm in height and weighs 29.6 grams without its screwplate.
The order is in decent condition with loss of enamel on the 5 o’clock ray of the star. This appears to have taken place a long time ago judging by its patina. The other rays are problem free without chipping, flaking or repairs. The raised areas on its obverse show light to medium wear and many details are still visible. The well fitted screwplate is time period to the order and its screw has not been shortened.
Medal for Bravery #996740
Made of silver and red lacquer. Measures 37.42 mm in width, 42.57 mm in height and weighs 26.4 grams.
In excellent, well above average condition, with several dings and scratches and a dark patina on both sides. The raised details like the tank and planes, remain crisp and well-defined. The original lacquer in the lettering is almost fully present and without repairs. Its connection ring remains intact and uncut.
Medal for Bravery #2428981
Made of silver and red lacquer. Measures 37.38 mm in width, 42.49 mm in height and weighs 29.4 grams.
The medal is in good, average condition with most details clearly visible and a dark patina on both sides. Much of the original red lacquer remains, and the connection ring is intact. The eyelet shows signs of a possible repair, though it is unclear by whom. The serial number falls within the 2407144–2539625 range of the “screwed-in eyelets,” where the eyelet was threaded into the medal rather than simply soldered on.
Medal for Combat Merit
Made of silver and red enamels. Measures 32.20 mm in width, 37.19 mm in height and weighs 19.1 grams.
In great condition with perfect enamels and relatively few dings and scratches on either side. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #3157447(1985 jubilee edition) with booklet
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 44.78 mm in width, 46.04 mm in height and weighs 26.8 grams without its screwplate.
In excellent condition with well preserved enamels and few dings and scratches. Its screw has not been shortened and its screwplate fits well.
Its booklet is in excellent condition as well.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #5030431 (1985 jubilee edition) with booklet
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 44.33 mm in width, 46.2 mm in height and weighs 27.1 grams without its screwplate.
In similar condition as the previous Order of the Patriotic War but with a strong patina to the silver.
Its booklet is in excellent condition as well.
Medals for the Liberation of Prague with document
Made of brass. Measures 32.02 mm in width, 37.06 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.7 grams without suspension.
In nice overall condition with light to medium wear on the raised areas and most details perfectly visible. A good amount of the original gold-like luster is still visible on both sides.
Its document is in used but decent condition and is dated 23 April 1946
Medals for the Victory over Germany with document
Made of brass. Measures 32.19 mm in width, 36.84 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.0 grams without suspension.
In problem condition medium overall wear and a fair amount of the original luster is still visible on both sides.
Its document is in used but decent condition and is dated 23 February 1946
Slovak National Uprising Commemorative Medal (1944–1964) with document
Made of brass. Measures 35.05 mm in width, 40.68 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 18.3 grams without its ribbon.
In excellent condition with crisp details.
Its document is in pristine condition and numbered ‘3822’
Czechoslovak Medal for Bravery with document
Made of brass. Measures 32.95 mm in width, 36.71 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 13.5 grams without its suspension device.
In good condition with medium wear. Its ribbon is missing.
Its large document is in used, folded condition.
Guards Badge
Post war production made of heavy metal. It weighs 14.9 grams and is in excellent condition with well preserved enamels and most gold plating present.
Order Booklet
The group is accompanied by an order booklet mentioning the Red Star and Medals for Bravery together with the medal for Combat Merit. The booklet is in excellent condition with all pages present and firmly attached to the cover.
Translation of the citation for the Red Star:
Participated in World War II since February 13, 1944, and completed a total of 36 successful combat sorties, including 7 aboard the IL-10 aircraft.
For completing 15 successful missions, he was awarded the Medal “For Courage” on July 28, 1944.
Following that award, he carried out an additional 21 successful sorties. As a result of these missions, he destroyed or damaged approximately 5 vehicles, neutralized 2 enemy anti-aircraft positions, destroyed 8 cargo carriages, and eliminated 25 German soldiers. In air combat, he successfully repelled 12 attacks by enemy fighter planes.
On July 23, 1944, while executing a combat mission in the Hodorov area, he was attacked by four ME-109 fighters. His aircraft was shot down, and he sustained serious injuries.
He has demonstrated courage and decisiveness in combat, using his weapon with skill.
On December 12, 1944, during an attack on the front line in the Krancer-Barce area, he destroyed 1 vehicle, 2 carriages, and killed 3 enemy soldiers.
On April 15, 1945, while flying in a group of six IL-10 aircraft attacking enemy forces near Olza, the formation was intercepted by four ME-109 fighters. He successfully repelled two attacks.
On April 17, 1945, during another mission in the Olza region, the IL-10 group encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire. Babikov suppressed one enemy firing position with his machine gun, destroyed one vehicle, and killed 4 soldiers.
Conclusion: For personally completing 21 successful combat missions and for the destruction of enemy personnel and equipment, he is deserving of the Order of the Red Star.
Translation of the citation for the Medal for Bravery #996740:
Air gunner of the 2nd Aviation Squadron, Lance Sergeant Mikhail Iosifovich Babikov, served with the regiment on the 1st Ukrainian Front starting from February 14, 1944. During this time, he successfully completed 15 combat sorties aboard an IL-2 aircraft.
In battle, he demonstrated courage and initiative. His combat achievements include the destruction of 3 vehicles, 2 enemy anti-aircraft positions, and the elimination of 30 enemy soldiers.
Translation of the citation for the Medal for Bravery #2428981:
To the air gunner of the 2nd Aviation Squadron, Junior Sergeant Babikov, Mikhail Iosifovich, for the fact that, after being awarded the medal for Bravery and the Order of the Red Star, he completed 16 successful combat sorties in an Il-10 aircraft to destroy enemy manpower and equipment. During one of the flights, his machine gun jammed. Under heavy fire, he repaired the gun in flight; then, when the aircraft was hit and caught fire, he extinguished the flames, resumed fire from his machine gun, and shot down two enemy fighters.
The full translation of the research can be read here
More information on Sergeant Babikov can be found here and here
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