Description
Order of the Red Banner #15286 reissue
Reissue/ Victory Parade Issue
Awarded to Hero of the Soviet Union Lieutenant Fedor Emelyanovich Vasilenko (Федор Емельянович Василенко)
For exceptional bravery while carrying out 13 combat missions in 1941, frequently leading bomber flights against enemy armor, motorized troops, and river crossings. Despite heavy fighter attacks, anti-aircraft fire, and adverse weather, he consistently brought his aircraft to target, scoring direct hits that destroyed tanks, trucks, and crossings and halted enemy advances
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 40.76 mm in height, 35.97 mm in width and weighs 23.8 grams without its screwplate. The reissue serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
Unfortunately, this official reissue Order of the Red Banner was converted into a screwback by a scammer, most likely in the 1990s. At the time, the collectible value of reissue awards was poorly understood, and the low serial number likely led him to believe he could get away with converting it into a screwback in order to resell it for a higher price. During this alteration, a screw was soldered onto the reverse and the original eyelet was cut off.
Despite this modification, the order remains in presentable condition. Most of the original enamels are intact, traces of gold plating are still visible, and although the reverse shows several dings and scratches, the serial number and mint mark remain perfectly clear.
Reissue awards were given by the Soviet Government to a recipient; as a replacement piece; in exchange for the same order or medal of an earlier type which was no longer authorized for awarding by new regulations. The new reissue piece retains the serial number from the original award piece. Many early suspension or screwback awards were exchanged for the new type of award; particularly during the period immediately following the end of the Great Patriotic War. During the June 1945 Victory Parade in Moscow following the defeat of Germany in World War Two, soldiers participating in the Parade were expected to have the latest type of award on their uniforms and undoubtedly many were exchanged for that parade. These pieces are rare.
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Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
As a true son of his Socialist Motherland and devoted member of the Lenin- Stalin party, he was burning with patriotic desire to fly combat missions against the German Fascism. Bombardier comrade VASILENKO always led his aircraft right to the target and hit the enemy armour and troops by precise strikes. Comrade VASILENKO also flew as a leading bombardier of a flight on many occasions and succeeded in these missions. Since 20 August 1941, he made 13 combat missions against the river crossing sites and the enemy motorised and armour troops in the sectors of Berislav, Nizhnedneprovsk, Lomovka, Sevashskaya, Michurin Rog, Kryukovo, Kremenchug, Kozelschina. Comrade VASILENKO has always performed his missions well and excellently despite the enemy fighter attacks and anti-aircraft artillery fire.
On 31 August 1941, in a combat mission against enemy motorised troops near Borispol, his aircraft was subjected to intensive anti-aircraft artillery fire and was attacked by enemy fighter planes. Despite enemy domination in the air and intensive AA fire, comrade VASILENKO managed to take the aircrafts to the target and drop the bombs on the Fascist heads. As the result of direct hits to enemy tanks, the enemy armour advance was interrupted.
Flying the mission against the crossing site over the Dnieper river near Lomovka, comrade VASILENKO’s flight encountered adverse weather condition midair. But the leading bombardier VASILENKO efficiently calculated the timing, took the bombers into the clouds, and then came out of clouds at the precise moment and destroyed the river crossing site. For this mission, the command of the Southern front granted gratitude to all the air crews, which participated in this mission.
On 29 September 1941, comrade VASILENKO flew as a leading bombardier of a flight in a mission against enemy motorised troops concentration near the settlement Karlovka. Approaching the target, the flight was attacked by a pack of enemy fighters Me-109. Despite the enemy attacks, VASILENKO effectively guided his pilot and led the aircrafts right to the target. Comrade VASILENKO exhibited courage and bravery in this combat mission against the German Fascists. The enemy troops were destroyed by VASILENKO’s flight precise strike, scoring direct hits to enemy tanks and trucks. Comrade VASILENKO’s aircraft sustained over 100 bullet and fragmentation holes in this mission.
Comrade VASILENKO dropped the following bomb load on the Fascist heads: 20 FAB-100, 65 FAB-50, 8 RRAB-3, 2 FAB-250 (combat flying time 38 hours 11 minutes).
CONCLUSION: For exhibited courage and bravery in the combat missions against the German Fascist, I recommend Lieutenant VASILENKO to be bestowed with order “RED BANNER”.
Full translation of the research can be found below:
Short biography of Fedor Yemelyanovich Vasilenko
Fedor Yemelyanovich Vasilenko (18 September 1911 – 24 August 1983) was a Soviet Air Force officer and Hero of the Soviet Union. He was born in the village of Krasnogorovka, now in the Velykobagachansky District of Poltava Oblast, Ukraine, into a peasant family. Ukrainian by nationality, he graduated from a pedagogical technical school in 1933 and entered the Red Army the same year. In 1938, he completed the military school for flight navigators.
Vasilenko took part in the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940 and from June 1941 fought in the Great Patriotic War. Serving in Long-Range Aviation, he flew combat missions against major enemy military and industrial targets. In 1942-1943, he participated in bombing operations against facilities in Königsberg, Tilsit, Insterburg, and against enemy shipping in the port of Danzig. He joined the Communist Party in 1943.
As a Guards Captain and squadron navigator of the 10th Guards Aviation Regiment, 3rd Guards Aviation Division, 3rd Guards Aviation Corps of Long-Range Aviation, Vasilenko had completed 218 combat sorties by November 1944. For exemplary execution of combat missions and for courage and heroism shown in battle against Nazi Germany, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union by decree of 13 March 1944, receiving the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal (No. 3283).
He flew his final combat mission on 28 April 1945, striking targets in Berlin. After the war, Vasilenko continued his service in the Soviet Air Force, completed advanced training for aviation unit commanders in 1947, and served as a senior navigator in a long-range bomber regiment. He was transferred to the reserve in 1956 with the rank of major.
Fedor Yemelyanovich Vasilenko lived in Poltava after his retirement and died on 24 August 1983. He was buried at the Central Cemetery in Poltava. In addition to the Hero of the Soviet Union title, he was awarded the Order of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War (1st class), the Order of the Red Star, and several medals.
(source: warheroes.ru)
More info on Lt. Vasilenko can be found here, here and here
Several images of Lt. Vasilenko can be found in the picture gallery
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