Description
Soviet Order of Lenin #46835
Awarded to Smersh / NKVD Lieutenant Colonel Nikolaj Nikitich Razin (Николай Никитич Разин)
He was also awarded a Red Star and an Order of the Patriotic War for exposing and removing dozens of spies
Made out of solid gold, platinum and enamels. Measures 42.91 mm in height including its eyelet, 38.29 mm in width and it weighs 33.2 gram without its suspension. The serial number and the mint mark are located on its reverse.
The order is in great condition despite a superficial enamel chip on top between the Cyrillic E and H in ‘Lenin’. The chip does not penetrate the gold and it does not distract from the overall beautiful appearance of the order. The gray enamel is perfect and the gold and platinum only shows almost no dings and scratches. All details are crisp and even the higher parts of the order show light wear only. Its connection ring has not been cut and the steel suspension is time period to the award.
At some point in time the awardee soldered a screw on its reverse. This could have been done for more comfortable wear or because the officer choose to wear the award as a screwback piece. The latter was done because screwback awards had more prestige since they were awarded more early in time (even Marshal Moskalenko has been noted doing this – see picture in the gallery-).
Service overview of Lt. Col Razin:
on 23.02.1936 position unknown, Uzbek Soviet Socialist republic, Decree NKVD USSR № 103 on 23.02.1936
until 10.03.1938 Aide to the head of 4th section of NKVD of the Irkutsk region, Decree NKVD USSR on 10.03.1938
since 10.03.1938 Head of 4th section of NKVD of the Irkutsk region, Decree NKVD USSR on 10.03.1938
since 08.10.1941 Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD, 114 rifle division, Decree NKVD USSR № 2095 on 08.10.1941
since 22.04.1942 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 7 separate Army, Decree NKVD USSR № 1310 on 22.04.1942
on 21.09.1942 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 27 армии 27 Army, Decree войскам 27 Army № 0316 on 25.10.1942
on 04.11.1942 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 7 Army, Decree войскам 7 Army № 014/н on 04.11.1942
on 30.11.1942 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 27 Army, Decree войскам 27 Army № 0461 on 14.12.1942
on 04.11.1943 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 27 Army, Decree войскам 27 Army № 0123 on 07.11.1943
on 05.07.1944 Head of the secret communication department NKVD of 27 Army, Decree 2 Ukrainian front № 0122/н on 05.07.1944
on 27.07.1945 Deputy Head of the counter-intelligence department NKVD of 27 Army, Decree Southern Group of Forces № 074/н on 27.07.1945
Ranks:
Lieutenant of State Security Decree NKVD USSR № 103 on 23.02.1936
Sr.Lieutenant of State Security Decree NKVD USSR № 1861 on 05.08.1938
Captain of State Security Decree 27 Army № 0316 on 25.10.1942
Lt.Colonel of State Security Decree 2 Ukrainian front № 0122/н on 05.07.1944
Citation for his Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #162813
Decree #0122/n issued on 05.07.1944 by 2 Ukrainian front.
Comrade RAZIN has been on the front of the Patriotic from its very first days. In the combat setting, he proved himself as brave and decisive State Security officer.
During the active combat operations of the army, comrade RAZIN visits the units, where he provides active support to the local counter-intelligence personnel and helps the Commanders strengthening the discipline.
Comrade RAZIN has been leading the investigative work of the “SMERSH” department of 27 Army. With his active personal involvement, only during the month of December 1943, 40 men of the rogue elements were exposed: of these, 6 German intelligence service spies, 7 members of counter-revolutionary organisations, 15 active accomplices to the German invaders and traitors.
Citation for his Order of the Red Star #78070
Comrade RAZIN has been on the front of the Patriotic war since July 1941. During the time of his engagement on the front, comrade RAZIN has been fighting actively the German Fascism by exposing the enemy spies, who were sent to infiltrate our army. He assists the command in cleansing the army off of the traitors and renegades, by timely exposing their ill intents.
Under his leadership and with his personal involvement during the period July – November 1942, 172 men were exposed and removed from the army ranks. Of these, 14 German intelligence service spies, 74 men planning to betray the Motherland or other rogue elements, who demoralised our troops and intended to sabotage the combat operations planned by our Command. Comrade RAZIN deserves state award order “RED STAR”. Head of the Military counterintelligence NKVD of 27 Army Captain of state security service signature /ANOKHIN
Full translation of the record card and citation for the Red Star can be found below:
More information on Lt. Col. Razin can be found here and here
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