Description
Soviet Documented group to a Hero of the Soviet Union
Awarded to Tank Commander Dmitry Malakhovich Tsirubin (Дмитрий Малахович Цирубин )
This group consists of the following items:
- Gold Star to the Hero of the Soviet Union #5500 with large award document
- Order of Lenin #32431
- Order of the Red Banner #111759
- Medal for Combat Merit #3183628
- Post Soviet Jubilee Medal “50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War”
- Guards Badge
- Tank Veteran Badge
- 50 Years of Communist Party Membership Badge
- Award Booklet mentioning all numbered awards
- A picture of major Tsirubin wearing his awards
- A Certificate of Authenticity from Paul McDaniel dated 28 August 2002
Gold Star to the Hero of the Soviet Union #5500 with award document
Made of 23 ct gold. Measures 32.15 mm in height (incl. the eyelet) and 30.62 mm in width. It weighs 20.1 gram (not including the suspension). The suspension measures 26.5 mm in width and 22.0 mm in height (not including the projection for the suspension ring hole).
This gold star is in excellent, well above average condition. There are several small dings and scratches but nothing distracting from the great eye appeal. The edges are crisp and all details are perfectly visible. All parts are original. Including the screwplate, suspension, hexagonal plate and the quadrangular plate. Only the connection ring is a later replacement.
The gold star comes with its award certificate mentioning major Tsirubin and is dated March 9th 1948.
The medal also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the well known expert Paul McDaniel who rated the star with an 8 out of 10!
Order of Lenin #32431
Made of 23 ct gold, platinum and enamels. Measures 42.94 mm in height (incl. the eyelet) and 37.93 mm in width. It weighs 33.3 gram (not including the suspension).
This early suspension variation Order of Lenin is in nice condition with all details crisp. The red enamels are problem free apart from some superficial flaking underneath the eyelet, not penetrating the gold. Lenin portret made of platinum shows almost no wear and the gray enamel background is in pristine condition. The gold base has several small dings and scratches on its reverse. The double layer steel suspension is time period to the order and its connection ring has not been cut.
Order of the Red Banner #111759
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 45.42 mm in height (incl. the eyelet) and 37.53 mm in width.
The order is in nice condition with all details visible and much gold plating present. The order shows some minor enamel flaking on the top red banner and a larger chip on 3 o’clock ray of the center star. The double layer brass suspension is time period to the award and its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for Combat Merit #3183628
Variation with a U-shaped eyelet and brass suspension. The medal has much detail and a fair amount of red lacquer is still present.
Award Booklet
The order booklet is dated 11 May 1945 and mentions all numbered awards above and an additional Order of the Red Banner which is missing.
An amazing group of great historical significance!
Citation for the Titel of Hero of the Soviet Union:
Short factual description of the military feats or achievement:
Guards Major Tsirubin together with his battalion was the first to cross the Narev River and to attack the enemy positions on the west bank. On 09/…/1944 the enemy seeking to push our rifle units from the occupied bridgehead launched a counterattack which was successfully repelled by Guards Major Tsirubin’s battalion. After that Guards Major Tsirubin’s battalion successfully pursued the enemy destroying […] tanks and up to 120 German submachine-gunners. Comrade Tsirubin keeping up with the battalion destroyed with his tank fire two enemy antitank guns that appeared on the right flank. He skillfully organized an attack against Zabozge, an enemy stronghold. In this fight the enemy lost up to two companies of infantry and one company of tank destroyers armed with panzerfausts.
Comrade Tsirubin together with his battalion was the first to break into an enemy stronghold during the attack on a grove to the west of the village of Nestenpovo. There was an antitank ditch in front of the grove. The leading tanks stopped. Despite the fierce enemy fire Comrade Tsirubin left the tank and showed paths for our tanks. After discovering enemy tank-destroyers in the antitank ditch Major Tsirubin established exact position of the target and destroyed it. During the fights for the grove to the west of the village of Nestenpovo comrade Tsirubin displayed personal bravery and valor. He personally engaged two enemy tanks and knocked out one of them.
Comrade Tsirubin deserves to be given the Title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery and heroism displayed in fights for his Socialist Motherland.”
Citation for the Order of the Red Banner:
Short factual description of the military feats or achievement:
“During the fights for the cities of Bobruysk and Minsk Guards Major Tsirubin displayed bravery, valor, and ability to command a battalion in combat. On 06/28/1944 during the fight for Bobruysk comrade Tsirubin’s tank was the first to storm into the city.
He then assumed command over a tank battalion as combat conditions required. On 07/01/1944, during an extremely bitter fight in the area of the village of Tal’ka Guards Major Tsirubin’s battalion crossed the Svispoch River and after heavy fighting on the west bank drove the enemy back. The enemy flung 12 self-propelled guns; 10 tanks, and up to 3 company of submachine-gunners to push comrade Tsirubin’s battalion back to the river. But due to comrade Tsirubin’s personal bravery and leadership the battalion held the occupied position. When German submachine-gunners crawled close to our tanks comrade Tsirubin’s courageous tank drivers eliminated them with […] and submachine-gun fire. During this fight Guards Major Tsirubin personally knocked out two enemy tanks and eliminated nine Hitlerites.
He deserves to be awarded with an Order of the Red Banner for his bravery, valor, and skillful command over his battalion in combat.”
The full translation of the citations can be found below:
More info about Hero of the Soviet Union Tsirubin can be found here and here
Please contact us if you have questions about this lot
