Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #150851
Awarded posthumously to tank radio operator Sgt Ivan Mikhailovich Sorokin (Иван Михайлович Сорокин)
After his tank was hit and caught on fire, Sorokin replaced the wounded loader and kept firing at the enemy until he died
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 27.1 gram without its screwplate and measures 45.08 mm in width and 47.10 mm in height.
This original order of the Patriotic War 2nd class is in nice condition with its details still present. The enamels show numerous dings and a chip at the tip of the 7 o’clock ray of the red star. It comes with its time period screwplate and its screw is full length.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
He participated in the battalions combat engagements during 16-17 March 1944. In the combat mission near the village Gorka, radio operator comrade SOROKIN exhibited courage and bravery. When his tank was hit and cough on fire, he replaced wounded loader of the 37mm gun and continued delivering fire at the enemy until he fell the death of the brave. As the part of the crew, he destroyed 2 enemy machine-gun positions, up to 20 enemy troops and 1 anti-tank gun.
Comrade SOROKIN deserves state award – order “Glory III class”.
The full translation of the research can be found below:
This award comes with very interesting extra research material. We have never seen anything as detailed like this before. We can identify (almost certainly) the location of his tank wreak on the battlefield. The operation was a disaster for the Soviets. The whole 280th battalion was practically lost (19 M-3-C Lend-Lease tanks included). Sorokin’s tank managed to reach the enemy positions and was hit and burned there. Many others were stuck in the mud.
In the picture gallery scans can be found of the combat diary, combat report, KIA report, radio network, maps and the handout protocol.
More information on Sgt Sorokin can be found here
Please contact us with questions regarding this object
