Description
Medal for Combat Merit #197255
Awarded to Sr. Lieutenant Sergej Maksimovich Starovoitov (Сергей Максимович Старовойтов)
For his reconnoitered advance of the enemy troops near the lake Zhizhitskoye in 1941 [Russia] during which he fought off the advancing enemy with rifle fire and hand-grenades and thus managed to report valuable intelligence to the headquarters. While working as liaison officer, he conducted up to 25 flights and delivered combat dispatches and operational documents to the units on the ground.
Made of solid silver and lacquer. The medal itself measures 32.36 mm in diameter and 36.81 mm in height including the eyelet. It weighs 21.5 grams without its suspension and 30.0 grams with the suspension but without the nut. The eyelet is 5.53 mm in width and the suspension measures 25.29 mm in width at its narrowest point and 31.42 at its widest point.
The medal is in excellent, above average condition with several small dings and scratches and most details still visible. The lacquer filling the letters ‘CCCP’ is mostly present and original although some of it is covered with some dirt. The silver suspension is original as is the brass screwpost, hexagon nut, the brass screwplate containing the text ‘Monetnij Dvor’ and the plate holding the ribbon. Its connection ring has not been cut and its ribbon appears to be original as well.
Scare to find with all parts original and with great research
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or accomplishments
He has been serving in the field troops continuously since 15 June 1941 in the capacity of operations duty officer and liaison officer. Until the end of 1941, he was working as an operations duty officer of the airforce HQ of 22 Army. Working in difficult conditions, often several days in a row without rest, he always managed to provide the airforce HQ with precise and prompt combat reports on our airforces. On top of that, in the last 10 days of August 1941, he executed a mission assigned by the HQ of 22 Army and conducted reconnaissance of the enemy troops on the ground during the retreat of the 22 Army from the town Veliekie Luki. As the head of party of 7 servicemen, he reconnoitered advance of the enemy troops near the lake Zhizhitskoye. Fighting off the advancing enemy with rifle fire and hand-grenades, managed to take safely his party and a truck from encirclement and reported valuable intelligence to the headquarters. On 31 August, he was send by the Command to the village Mishinovo with the task to organise our retreating troops. He energetically accomplished the task collecting and organising 300 servicemen and delivering them to the rally point.
While working as the liaison officer, he conducted up to 25 flights and delivered combat dispatches and operational documents to the units on the ground. He executes all his order and assignments with exceptional diligence and persistence.
He deserves to be bestowed with medal “FOR BRAVERY”
Signed by the head of the aviation section, HQ of 22 Army.
Lt. Colonel /VORONIN/
11.02.1943
Decree №015 of 22 Army issued on 22.02.1943
Bestowed with medal “FOR COMBAT MERITS”
The full translation of the research of the register card can be read here
More info on Lt. Starovoitov can be found here
In the picture gallery we posted a scan of an image of Lt. Starovoitov wearing this very same Medal for Combat Merit and two combat maps of the 22nd Army at lake Zhizhitskoye in August 1941
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