Description
Soviet Medal for Bravery #33841
Awarded to Squad Leader (Junior Sergeant) Matvei Sergeyevich Zakurayev (Матвей Сергеевич Закураев)
For bravery, and courage while being wounded
Sergeant Zakurayev was MIA in March 1942
Made of solid silver. Measurements; 36.92 mm in diameter and 2.95 mm in thickness. The height of the medal; 41.59 mm (including the eyelet). Weight; 29.4 gram without its suspension. The suspension measures 25.21 mm in width at its narrowest point and 31.18 at its widest point. All parts of the silver suspension are original including the silver screw post; the nut; the plate holding the original red ribbon and the screw plate tightening it all up. The reverse shows the letter ‘N’ followed by a engraved serial number in a very typical handwriting.
The medal for Bravery is in nice condition with its details crisp. Even the higher laying parts like the rivets on the side of the tank and the canons are pristine. The enamel filling the letters is lost. This is seen often with these early wartime medals which were worn during severe combat situations. The medal shows a very appealing even dark patina on both sides.
Great early piece with interesting research!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“On August 21, 1941, during the fighting near the village of Suoyarvi; comrade Zakurayev put together a group of soldiers from the remnants of the 5th and 6th Rifle Companies. Possessing just one light machine gun, he did battle with the enemy for 12 hours. When the battalion withdrew along with Lieutenant Plyaskin’s group, comrade Zakurayev conducted reconnaissance for 9 days on end, inspiring his troops through his personal bravery and courage.
After the unit’s retreat, the squad leader showed up at his unit and just like before started continuously delivering provisions under enemy fire to his unit at its front line positions. During the fighting on September 12, 1941 comrade Zakurayev was wounded in his head by two pieces of shrapnel; but he did not leave the battlefield and refused to visit the medical aid station. Only after the battle was he sent away for treatment upon the battalion commander’s orders.
For the fearlessness, bravery and courage he displayed in battle he deserves the Medal for Bravery.”
The full translation of the research: Bravery Medal Translation
Link to the website stating Zakurayev went missing in action in March-1942: Here
