Description
Soviet Order of Alexander Nevsky #6489
Awarded to Cossack Guards Major Ivan Mikhailovich Kargin (Иван Михайлович Каргин)
For being constantly on the forefront line leading his men and personally killing over 20 Germans and a sniper
Interestingly enough the two citations below are written shortly after each other and he was awarded this Order of Nevsky for both feats together!
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 50.00 mm in height, 49.43 mm in width and it weighs 39.7 gram without its screwplate. The mint mark Monetni Dvor is located directly underneath the screw. The serial number is engraved at the mint over another number which had been erased as was standard for these Type 2 Orders of Nevsky in this range.
In excellent, far above average condition with all details still visible and crisp. The higher laying parts on its obverse show light wear and few contact marks only. A fair amount of the original gold plating is still present although some has worn off. The enamels are beautiful without repairs and show a small superficial chip on the bottom of the 12 o’clock ray only. The long screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period silver screwplate.
This order has it all; great research, excellent condition and a rare early variation!
Citation 1
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
The regiment chief drill officer comrade KARGIN lead two cavalry squadrons in the combat engagements for the town Ovidiopol and the village Baraboy during 09-10 April 1944. Advancing in a cavalry formation with cavalry squadrons, he captured the eastern side of Ovidiopol town after having defeated strongly fortified enemy force. He enabled other cavalry squadrons to enter these settlements. Advancing towards the village Baraboy, he commanded the spearhead detachment. Comrade KARGIN and his men were met with mortar and machine gun fire. Exhibiting courage and bravery, he performed a flanking manoeuvre and captured the northern face of the village Baraboy defeating strongly fortified enemy force. Being all the time on the forefront line, comrade KARGIN led his men by personal example of exemplary conduct. With his firm hand, he personally eliminated 14 enemy troops.
Guards Major comrade KARGIN deserves state award order “Aleksander Nevsky”.
Citation 2
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
During a night march, the cavalry regiment was the vanguard unit of the division.
Guard Major KARGIN was leading the spearhead unit of the regiment. When on the 20th he approached very closely to the village Bashtanka, he was met with heavy machine-gun fire by the enemy guarding unit. Major KARGIN quickly turned around and deployed the squadrons “Tachankas” and opened fire. Under the covering fire of the “Tachnakas”, his cavalry squadron assumed foot formation and, with a decisive push, defeated the enemy guarding unit. He destroyed 3 machine-gun positions and one 37mm gun with its crew. This allowed the regiment to deploy in a combat foot formation and capture the south-western side of the Bashtanka village. While manning the command post, he personally eliminated 6 enemy soldiers and one sniper by the fire of a light machine-gun. The enemy soldiers were occupying a position 200m away from the command post. In this engagement, the regiment eliminated 310 enemy troops, 18 vehicles, 4 guns, 1 mortar battery, 23 machine-guns, as well captured 2 food depots, 20 machine-guns, 22 horse carriages, 15 submachine-guns, 57 rifles, 15 bicycle, 5 motorcycles, and a lot of other materiel.
In the engagement for GREYGOVO on 16 March 1944, his the 2nd sabre squadron and 45mm artillery battery conducted a night raid against an enemy horse wagon train. He scattered the enemy train, destroying in the process over 350 enemy horse carriages loaded with ammunition, food, and weapons. He captured over 150 horses.
Comrade KARGIN deserves order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
He deserves order “ALEKSANDER NEVSKY”
Signed by the commander of 4 Guards Kuban cossack cavalry Red Banner corps.
Guards Lt. General PLIEV
17 March 1944
The full translation of the research can be found below
More info on Major Kargin can be found here
In the picture gallery the following items can be found next to the ‘regular’ research:
- Kargin’s service record card
- a map 10 Cossack cavalry division
- a brief history of 4 Guards Cossack cavalry corps
- an image of the combat banner of 4 Guards Cossack cavalry corps
- control card
- two pictures of Major Kargin
Please contact us with questions
