Description
Complete Documented Group of Soviet Awards
Awarded to Musician Private Pompey Ivanovich Lebedev (Помпей Иванович Лебедев)
For executing a wide range of tasks from evacuating wounded from the battlefield under enemy fire and handling the bookkeeping to delivering ammunition and food. Of particular interest is the citation to his Order of the Red Star, which highlights his participation in the orchestra during a relentless enemy artillery barrage. He valiantly played military marches to bolster the morale of our advancing infantry
The group contains the following items:
Order of the Red Star #1561177
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 50.22 mm in width, 48.85 mm in height and weighs 31.1 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post.
In excellent condition with a light wear and most details still perfectly visible. The enamels are well preserved without chipping or repairs and show some small dings and contact marks only. Its reverse is in similar condition and shows a medium dark patina. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period silver screwplate.
Medal for Combat Merit #828232
Made of solid silver and lacquer. Measures 37.38 mm in width, 42.47 mm in height including its eyelet and it weighs 17.6 grams.
The medal is in excellent, well above average condition with light overall wear. It shows relatively few dings and scratches on either side and all of the red lacquer is still present. There have been no repairs and its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for Combat Merit #1005147
Made of solid silver and red lacquer. Measures 32.16 mm in diameter, 37.27 mm in height including its eyelet and it weighs 18.4 grams.
In similar condition as the previous medal with full red lacquer and uncut connection ring.
Medal for the Victory over Germany
Made of gilded brass. Measures 32.09 mm in diameter, 36.94 mm in height including its eyelet and it weighs 17.1 grams.
The medal is in pristine condition with full gold plating and crisp details. The medal is mounted to an old brass suspension bar together with the previous two medals.
Order booklet and travel pass
Both in good condition with all pages present. The order booklet mentions all of the numbered awards above
Translation of the citation for Red Star #1561177:
In the offensive operation commencing on 14 January 1945 on the western Vistula bank (Radom sector, settlement Andrzejów), he was present on the forward trench near the enemy breakthrough position. Under intensive enemy artillery barrage, as part of the orchestra, he played military marches to support our attacking infantry. Later, disregarding mortal danger and acting in difficult combat circumstances (often on a minefield), he selflessly participated in gathering of the bodies and burial of the soldiers fallen in the fight for the Motherland.
He deserves to be bestowed with order “RED STAR”.
Translation of the citation for Medal for Combat Merit #828232:
Comrade private LEBEDEV P.I. has been serving in the division since August 1941 as a musician. He also conducts diligent work for bookkeeping the horse fodder stock. Apart from his main responsibilities, comrade LEBEDEV many times participated in deliveries of ammunitions and food supplies to the troops on the forward line. He evacuated wounded from the battlefield under enemy fire. During the course of his service in the division, he proved himself as a disciplined and selfless soldier, a true Soviet patriot devoted to teh cause of the Lenin-Stalin party.
He deserves to be bestowed with medal “FOR COMABAT MERITS”.
Translation of the citation for Medal for Combat Merit #1005147:
Comrade private LEBEDEV P.I. has been serving in the musical platoon since August 1941. During the period of crossing the straight (Sivash), he was reallocated to serve in the food supply depot. Thanks to comrade LEBEDEV’s diligent approach, the bookkeeping of the divisional food supply depot is impeccable and is an example for the other units. All the bookkeeping assignments were performed truly energetically, irregardless of the time nor complications. He deserves to be bestowed with medal “FOR COMABAT MERITS”.
More info on Private Lebedev can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are two maps and the combat diary of the 339th Rifle Division near Andrzejów on 14 January 1945
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