Description
Soviet Order of Glory 2nd class #6774 with Award Booklet (thin variation)
Awarded to Guards Private and Sapper Semyon Ivanovich Kovalenko (Семен Иванович Коваленко)
Recommanded for the Order of the Red Banner
For clearing 18 anti-tank and 96 anti-personnel mines, killing 2 machine-gun crews, taking 4 prisoners and blowing up a concrete billpox while being wounded and killing 12 Germans in the process
This order of Glory 2nd class is made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 47.23 mm in width, 49.12 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 20.1 gram without its suspension.
In great condition with most details still present. The higher laying parts show medium wear and although much of the gold plating is worn off, around the wreath some is still visible. The enamel is all present without repairs and shows some superficial flaking only. Its connection ring has been cut.
The order comes with its award booklet with all pages present and firmly attached. It mentions an Order of Glory 3rd class, a Medal for Bravery and a Medal for Combat Merit (without number) next to this Order of Glory 2nd class.
Increasingly hard to find, especially with its original document and amazing research!
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits
“During the assault on Koenigsberg on 07-08 April 1945, comrade KOVALENKO acted as a part of an assault team. Under heavy enemy fire, he cleared 18 anti-tank and 96 anti-personnel mines in the sector of a brick factory.
In the engagement for the house block №591, he personally destroyed with hand grenades 2 machine-gun crews (6 men), which were fortified in the houses and were preventing advance of our rifle units. In the same engagement, he also took prisoners: one NCO and 3 soldiers.
He was wounded during the assault on the mill factory complex, but didn’t abandon the unit and continued the assault on the reinforced-concrete pillbox. He personally placed the demolition charge and blew up the reinforced-concrete pillbox, killing in the attack 12 enemy troops.
He exhibited courage and bravery in the assault on the city. Risking his life, he volunteered for attack on the reinforced-concrete pillbox and concluded the attack successfully. He is worthy of order “Red Banner”.”
The full translations of the research can be found below
More info on private Kovalenko can be found here
The battle order and combat diary of the 24th Guars Rifle Division on can be found in the picture gallery together with maps of the house block mentioned in the citiation
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