Description
Medal for Combat Merit #110625
Awarded to Military technician 2 rank Mikhail Ivanovich Podorozhnij (Подорожний Михаил Иванович)
For playing a critical role in supporting the Red Army’s logistics near Stalingrad. On August 24, 1942, during a German air raid, Podorozhnij skillfully organized the retreat of his unit and equipment from the Volga’s right bank near Erzovka, preventing losses. This occurred a day after the German 16th Panzer Division reached the Volga north of Stalingrad near Rynok–Erzovka
Made of solid silver. Measures 32.21 mm in diameter and 2.87 mm in thickness. The height of the medal measures 37.11 mm (including the eyelet) and it weighs 23.1 grams without its suspension. The suspension measures 25.45 mm in width at its narrowest part and 32.46 at its widest point.
The medal is in a nice condition with most details visible. Both sides show several small dings and scratches and medium wear on its raised areas. The red lacquer filling the lettering is worn off and both sides show a medium patina. The suspension is original as is the brass screw, the nut, the plate holding the red ribbon and the screw tightening it all up. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
Comrade PODOROZHNIJ M.I. has been working in the battalion since July 1941. First, as a technician, and later since January 1942, as a commander of a road construction company. Comrade PODOROZHNIJ is famous in the battalion. Well deserved status, earned by tireless work for the sake of Motherland defence. Servicing the commute routes of the 6 army, the PODOROZHNIJ’s company was responsible for the 30km long road Izyum – Chervony Shakhtar. Apart from providing uninterrupted flow of traffic in both direction, comrade PODOROZHNIJ also built 2 high bridges on top of the expected by the plan for the Izyum road junction – his present for the Motherland. Comrade PODOROZHNIJ’s company has in total over 1500km of constructed roads on its account, and also about 1000m of different constructed special structures. On 24 August 1942, comrade PODOROZHNIJ was deployed on the right Volga river bank near the village Erzovka, where he was subjected to a Fascist air raid. He managed to organised company retreat and evacuation of all the equipment to the left Volga bank without any losses. Comrade PODOROZHNIJ M.I. is a seasoned combat commander, an experienced road and bridge construction technician, who deserves to be bestowed with order “RED STAR”.
Commander of 214 road construction battalion 21 October 1942 Captain signature
The full translation of the research can be read below
More information on Podorozhnij can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are maps Chervony Shakhtar and Erzovka mentioned in the citation and two scans of images of Podorozhnij
Please contact us with questions
