Description
Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #16721
Awarded to Guards Master Sergeant Nikolaj Gordeevich Samoilov (Николай Гордеевич Самойлов)
For being the first to cross the river and enter the settlement of Zolotarevo, personally eliminating 9 German troops, assuming leadership after his commander was wounded and being the first to enter enemy trenches in the village of Ragozino
Made of solid gold and silver. The medal itself measure is 42.82 mm in width, 47.28 mm in height including its eyelet and it weighs 26.2 gram without its suspension. The serial number is located at the 7 o’clock position of its reverse and a ‘B’ (often referred to as ‘makers mark’) is located on the 8 o’clock position. The awardee removed the suspension and soldered a stickpin to comply with new 1943 regulations of wearing soviet awards. We attached a new suspension which is not authentic and only used it for display purposes. It can easily be removed to have the order in the state the awardee turned it in. He left the original eyelet on top of the star untouched.
Despite the fact that the awardee converted the order -or possibly because he did so- it is in excellent condition with its enamels in much better than usual condition. They are problem free apart from a superficial chip on the 9 o’clock ray of the red star and a small chip on the very tip of the top ray. The details on both sides are crisp and the serial number -in its familiar style for this range- is perfectly visible. There are relatively few dings and scratches and the stickpin is fully functional.
Scarce piece with interesting research!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“2nd rifle company orderly Guards master sergeant SAMOYLOV N.G. proved himself as a brave, courageous, resourceful, and devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland.
He has always been present in the units fighting formation and provided for uninterrupted ammunition supplies deliveries and evacuation of the wounded. In all the situations, even the most difficult ones, he was always on the spearhead of his company and led his men by personal example.
In the engagements for the settlement Zolotarevo, Guards master sergeant SAMOYLOV acted bravely and decisively. He was the first to cross the river and enter the settlement drawing his men to follow him into the action. He personally eliminated 9 German troops. When the company commander was wounded and taken out of action, comrade SAMOYLOV assumed the leadership over the company. Comrade SAMOYLOV acted as a company commander in the battle for the hills near the the village Ragozino. Leading his men by personal example of courage and bravery, he raised the battalion into an assault and was the first to enter the enemy trenches. His company eliminated up to 80 Hitler’s troops. He also initiated a counter attack against the enemy assault and fended off their thrust.
Being wounded, he remained in the line and maintained the command of the unit until the arrival of the reinforcement.
26.07.1943 Commander of 2 rifle company signature
He deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”. ”
The full translation of the citation can be found here
More info on Sergeant Samoilov can be found here
Also in the picture gallery is a battle map of Zolotarevo of 22 July 1943
Sergeant Samoilov was highly decorated and also received the Orders of the Red Star, Patriotic War 2nd class and Glory 3rd class. Next to these orders he received a Medal for Bravery
Please contact us with questions
