Description
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #107206
Awarded to Sr. Lieutenant Evgeny Fedorovich Lapin (Евгений Федорович Лапин)
For facilitating 14,000 flying hours, transporting 533 tons of cargo and 8,461 men. This included 1,264 hours behind enemy lines, supplying partisans (with U-2 planes), moving 190 tons of ammunition and cargo, and evacuating 1,540 wounded partisans
Leningrad Mint (LMD) production made out of silver and enamels. Measures 48.08 mm in height, 45.56 mm in width and weighs which is 21.8 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and mint mark are located at the bottom of its reverse. The minimum serial number for this range is 100354 and the maximum is 134917.
In nice overall condition with crisp details. The red and white enamels are fully present without repairs and show some dings and scratches. The hammer and sickle is made of brass and not of gold. It was replaced by one from a cap badge, most likely done by the awardee himself. Its reverse is in equally nice condition with few dings and full length screw. The order comes with its time period and well fitted silver nut.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
During his work in 105 separate Guards aviation regiment, his effort ensured fault free operation of the electronic and electrical equipment, which enabled the regiment to perform: 14000 flying hours (including 1906 night hours), carrying 533850kg of cargo and 8461 men. This also includes 1264 flying hours behind the enemy line supplying partisans (including 14 daylight missions on U-2 aircrafts in flying blind), carrying 187842kg of ammunitions and other cargo and evacuating 1540 wounded partisans.
Aiming to maximise efficiency and practicality of flying on U-2 aircraft in difficult meteorological day and night conditions, as well as flying blind [i.e. without visual contact with the ground (fog) utilising only instruments readings.], engineer LAPIN rearranged illumination of the air strips according to one best standard. He also performed aircraft repairs locally, such that it didn’t disrupt the operations. He performed tuning and checks of all the instruments, which ensured their precision and fault free operations. This enabled the U-2 pilots to perform excellently the most difficult missions flying blind.
He maintains the electronic and electrical equipment in constant combat readiness.
He improved on the energy utilisation efficiency of the engines for the purposes of aircraft batteries charging, radio stations batteries charging and direct power supply, and for illumination of the personnel quarters. Before his service in 105 separate Guards aviation regiment, he served on the fronts of the war servicing:
1) 1500 combat sorties in 518 fighter aviation regiment.
2) 3996 combat sorties in 763 night bomber aviation regiment.
He is devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the socialist Motherland.
For selfless and initiative work for enabling combat air operations, he deserves to be bestowed with order “PATRIOTIC WAR II CLASS”.
The translation of the register card can be read here
More information on Lt. Lapin can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery is an image of Lt. Lapin wearing this Order of the Patriotic War, a scheme of missions of the 105th Guards Aviation Regiment and a scan of an image of a wounded partisan being evacuated
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