Description
Hero of the Soviet Union #8626
Awarded to Guards Senior Sergeant Grigory Grigorevich Mironov (Григорий Григорьевич Миронов)
For being among the first to cross the Dvina river in June 1944 and seizing several enemy trenches. Mironov drew the enemy’s attention and allowed the battalion main force to cross the river. Shortly after, he eliminated 26 Fascists and fought off 13 enemy attacks
Sgt. Mironov also fought at the Battle for Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk for which he was decorated earlier
Made of solid 23 carat gold. It measures 32.48 mm in height including the eyelet, 30.07 mm in width and it weighs 21.4 grams without its suspension. The the text Герой СССР (Hero of the USSR) is located at the center of the reverse right underneath the serial number ‘8626’. The suspension is an authentic suspension for the Hero of Labor Star so incorrect for this award. The differences are minuscule but still worth mentioning.
The star in decent overall condition but shows strong wear to the raised parts. The lettering and serial number however are still perfectly readable and its eyelet has plenty plenty of body and no risk of breaking. Both sides show several dings and scratches, most noticeable on the top and bottom right side of the reverse of the star. The suspension and screwplate are authentic but belong to a Hero of Socialist Labor gold star medal.
A rare piece with extensive research to a true hero
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
“Pursuing the retreating enemy, the regiment force crossed the river Western Dvina on 25.06.1944. The enemy occupied the left bank and barraged constantly the right river bank by the artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire. Utilising improvised floating devices, a detachment under MIRONOV’s command armed with machine-guns and grenades crossed to the left bank. The crossing troops were met with intensive fire, but their decisive assault allowed them to seize several enemy trenches. Engaging the enemy in firefight, allowed MIRONOV to draw the enemy attention. This allowed the battalion main force to cross the river in a short time and suffer only insignificant casualties and materiel losses.
In the battle on 30.06.1944, the battalion crossed a small river Ulla near the hill 147.1 near the village Belaya (Polotsk district, Vitebsk region). A superior enemy infantry force supported by “Ferdinand” type SPGs went into a counter-attack. Comrade MIRONOV was among the 1st rile company and assumed the command, after the previous company commander was wounded and taken out of action. With their well coordinated fire, the troops under MIRONOV command fended off the attack. But the enemy did’t rest after suffering losses. In the course of 30.06.1944, the enemy attempted 13 attacks, of which 8 were very ferocious ones. In a decisive moment of one of the enemy attacks, our machine-gunners were wounded and taken out of action. Comrade MIRONOV boldly assumed his place and showered the enemy with bullets. And this enemy attack was fended off too and comrade MIRONOV eliminated 26 Fascists.
Our troops held the hill and the battalion and other units continued their offensive toward the town Polotsk.
He deserves state award – the title “HERO OF SOVIET UNION”.”
The full translation of the research can be read here
Biography on Sgt. Mironov:
Mironov Grigory Grigoryevich – 1st Battalion of the 156th Guards Rifle Regiment (51st Guards Order of Lenin Red Banner Rifle Division, 23rd Guards Rifle Corps, 6th Guards Army, 1st Baltic Front), Guards Senior Sergeant.
He was born on February 8, 1922 in the village of Ivanovka, now Shablykinsky District, Oryol Region, in a peasant family of Russian nationality. He graduated from 7 classes. He worked at a factory in the city of Lyubertsy, Moscow region.
In the Red Army – since 1941. From January 1, 1942 in the active army. He fought on the Western, Stalingrad, Southwestern, Central, 2nd and 1st Baltic Fronts. He took part in the Battle of Moscow, the defense of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, and the Nevelsk Offensive.
He especially distinguished himself during the Vitebsk-Orsha offensive operation. On June 25, 1944, at the head of a group of soldiers where he crossed the Western Dvina River near the village of Balbechye (now defunct, Beshenkovichi district of the Vitebsk region, Belarus), captured several enemy trenches and holding them, ensured the crossing of the river by other units. On June 30, 1944, near the village of Belaya (now polotsk district of the Vitebsk region, Belarus), at a critical moment in the battle, when the officers were out of action, he took command of the company and organized the repulse of enemy counterattacks, holding an important line.
By degree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of March 24, 1945, for the exemplary performance of the combat tasks of the command at the front of the fight against the German invaders and the courage and heroism of the guard shown at the same time, Senior Sergeant Mironov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal.
On August 14, 1944, he was seriously wounded in battle. After a long treatment, he was demobilized in 1945.
Since 1953 he lived in the Chkalov (since 1957 – Orenburg) region. In In 1954 he graduated from the Orenburg Agricultural College. Worked as secretary of the Buzuluk district committee of the Komsomol, technician in the collective farm named after Pushkin, chairman of the collective farm and master at the brick factory of Berezovsky plant. He lived in the village of Berezovka, Buzuluk district Orenburg region.
He died on 21 March 1995. Buried in Berezovka. He was awarded the Order of Lenin (24.03.1945), the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st (11.03.1985) and the 2nd (04.07.1944) degrees, the Red Star (09.02.1944), medals, including “For Military Merit” (17.07.1943).
In the battles on the Kursk Bulge in early July 1943, Guards Sergeant G.G. Mironov was the commander of the mortar crew in the 1st Rifle Company of the regiment. During the enemy’s attack on our positions under aerial bombardment, he courageously continued to fire at the advancing enemy. Firing to the last opportunity, he retreated on orders only after the Germans had taken possession of the trench. By order of the regiment commander he was awarded the medal “For Military Merit”.
Later, Mironov was appointed Komsorg of the 1st Rifle Battalion. On January 19, 1944, when attacking the front line of the enemy in the area of the village of Brigino, now pustoshkinsky district of the Pskov region, he, at the head of a group of fighters, was the first to rise in the attack and rushed into the enemy trench. By order of the commander of the 23rd Guards Rifle Corps, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star.
With the beginning of the Vitebsk-Orsha offensive operation, when breaking through the enemy defenses in the area of the village of Sirotino (now shumilinsky district of the Vitebsk region, Belarus), Mironov with a group of soldiers destroyed a wood-earthen firing point and up to 10 enemy soldiers, ensuring the success of the attack of the front line in his area. The commander of the regiment was presented with the Order of the Red Star. By order of the commander of the 23rd Guards Rifle Corps, he was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree.
More info about on Sgt. Mironov can be found on wikipedia, pamyat-naroda.ru and warheroes.ru
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- several scans of images of Sgt. Mironov, some of which shows him wearing his Hero Star,
- an infosheet,
- a map 1st Baltic front near Vitebsk,
- a map of the 23rd Guards Rifle Corps near Vitebsk,
- the combat diary 156th Guards Rifle Regiment on 30 June 1944
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