Description
Soviet Medal for Bravery #348382
Awarded to Private Vasilij Egorovich Goryannikov (Василий Егорович Горянников)
For destroying 3 enemy horse carriages with ammunition, eliminating 2 snipers, and suppressing fire of one light machine-gun position
Private Goryannikov was declared KIA on the 10th of August 1943
Made of solid silver. Measures 37.51 mm in diameter and 2.69 mm in thickness. The height of the medal is 42.52 mm (including the eyelet) and it weighs 27.2 gram without its suspension. Its silver suspension measures 25.29 mm in width at its narrowest point and 31.74 at its widest point.
The medal is in a nice, about average condition with medium wear. The details of the higher laying parts like the rivets on the side of the tank and the canons are mostly present. There are numerous small dings and scratches but they don’t distract from the overall appeal of the medal. The lacquer filling the letters is all lost and the connection ring between the suspension and the medal itself is improvised but functions well. The silver suspension is original as is the plate holding the ribbon and part of the plastic protection cover.
This piece, although fully original for sure, got us puzzled quite a bit. The wear of the medal suggests it has been worn for years but private Goryannikov was declared KIA 10 days(!) after he received the medal. We also found a missing persons report of 1948 which confirms this initial conclusion. So how this medal acquired its wear remains a mystery (to us). Any suggestions are welcome!
Short translation of the citation:
“Private 82mm mortar gunner of the 2nd rifle battalion GORYANNIKOV Vasilij Egorovich is bestowed for exhibiting courage and bravery in the engagements against the German invaders near the villages Russkoe and Berestovo during 17-18 July 1943. Disregarding the enemy shell explosions falling around his mortar position, comrade GORYANNIKOV maintained precision of his aim. He destroyed 3 enemy horse carriages, which attempted to deliver ammunitions, 2 snipers, and suppressed fire of one light machine-gun position. ”
Born 1925, worker, VLKSM member, Russian, drafted to Red Army in January 1943 by Peschanky district military commissariat.
The full translation of the research can be found below:
More information on Private Goryannikov can be found here
Next to scans of the ‘regular’ research we also added the temporary award certificate, KIA report of 1943 and the missing persons report of 1948 in the pictures gallery
Please contact us with questions
