Description
Soviet Medal for Combat Merit #111201
Awarded to Captain of the Aeronautical Engineering Service Anatoly Georgiyevich Demyokhin (Анатолий Георгиевич Демёхин)
Made of solid silver. Measurements; 32.39 mm in diameter and 2.87 mm in thickness. The height of the medal; 36.85 mm (including the eyelet). The eyelet itself is 5.45 mm in width and the medal weighs 23.2 gram without its suspension and 31.4 gram with the suspension but without the nut. The suspension measures 25.79 mm in width at its narrowest point and 30.71 at its widest point.
The medal is in great, well above average condition with only some small dings and scratches. Nothing distracting from the overall appeal of the medal. Most details are well visible and a fair amount of the red lacquer is present even though it is covered with some dirt. The silver suspension is original as is the brass screw, the nut, the plate holding the ribbon and the screw plate tightening it all up.
Interesting piece with a not often seen citation!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or accomplishments
“During the combat operations against the German occupiers comrade Demyokhin proved to be the best aircraft mechanic. He was the first to master the Pe-2 aircraft with M-105 RA engines and performed his task of preparing the aircraft for combat sorties in an exemplary manner. He substituted as flight mechanic in the squadron.
Demyokhin personally, serving as aircraft mechanic, supported 55 combat sorties. No incidents or emergency landings, for reasons he was responsible for, occurred.
Under his supervision 2 engines were replaced on March 25, 1942.
A Pe-2 aircraft, which out of necessity had performed a belly landing outside the airfield following a combat mission, was repaired by comrade Demyokhin within 10 days, reducing the repair time by a factor of 2/3.
In May of this year he repaired a damage aircraft over the course of one night; he replaced fuel tank nr. 4, the split flaps – which he adjusted – and the controls. By morning the aircraft was back in service. The time spent on repairs was 6 hours instead of 10 hours.
On June 13 of this year he replaced one engine and carried out exceptionally complex repairs: the engine nacelles, framing, and the lower engine cowling, he repaired a hydraulic jack for the landing gear with piping and fully adjusted the landing gear, and straightened two propellers.
He deserves to be nominated the Order of the Red Star.”
Full translation of the research: Translation_Demyokhin
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