Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #339871
Awarded to Lieutenant Victor Ivanovich Fedorov (Виктор Иванович Федоров)
Commander of anti-aircraft artillery station on the auxiliary cruiser “Mikoyan” and submarine brigade instructor
For preventing the ship being hit during a massive air raid and shooting down a He-111 with his anti-aircraft troops
Oder of the Patriotic War 2nd class. Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 27.2 gram without its screwplate and measures 45.20 mm in width and 48.28 mm in height.
This original order is in nice condition despite enamel loss on the 3 o’clock ray of the red star. The enamels on the other rays are beautiful without repairs and the white enamels show some contact marks and dings only. Its details are all visible and crisp and even the higher laying gold hammer and sickle shows its edges perfectly well. The order comes with a time period and well fitted screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
Comrade FEDOROV has been participating in the Patriotic war since July 1941. Until 11/1941, he served as the commander of anti-aircraft artillery station on the auxiliary cruiser “Mikoyan”. During 11/1941-08/1942, he served as a gun commander of 472 anti-aircraft artillery battery, 57 separate anti-aircraft artillery squadron, town Poti naval base. During 08/1942-12/1942, he served as a gun commander of 325 naval infantry battalion. During all this time, he had the rank of Starshina II rank. During 12/1942-11/1944, he studied in the Military-Political school. From the graduation date and until the end of the war, he served as instructor for Communist Youth Union activities. Firstly, as the second instructor in the 1 “Sevastopol” Red Banner submarine brigade, and later as the senior instructor in the 2 Red Banner Ushakov order submarine brigade of the Black sea Fleet.
While serving on the auxiliary cruiser “Mikoyan”, FEDOROV excellently lead the command of his anti-aircraft artillery battle station and systematically trained his crew achieving excellent combat skills, which were proven from the very first combat engagements endured by the cruiser.
FEDOROV took part in all the combat tours of the cruiser, including the combat mission into the besieged Odessa city. Comrade FEDOROV commanded his crew, exhibiting bravery and initiative, during multiple attacks on the cruiser by the enemy bomber and torpedo aircrafts.
In the massive air raid during the combat mission to the Odessa city, the enemy aviation dropped up to 50 bombs. But none of them hit the ship, thanks to the efficient anti-aircraft counter-measures. Later on, FEDOROV and his crew moved from the central anti-aircraft battle station to the broadside cannon and opened fire at the enemy coastal targets.
While being stationed in the Novorossijsk Naval Base, his anti-aircraft crew took active part in the defence against the enemy air raids on 02 November 1941. The ship anti-aircraft troops shot down 1 He-111.
Comrade FEDOROV exhibited courage and bravery in the struggle against the invaders, he selflessly lead his crew and deserved state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR II CLASS”.
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More info on Lt. Fedorov can be found here
The auxiliary cruiser ‘Mikoyan’ which is mentioned in the citation was originally an icebreaker converted in 1941 into a cruiser. There is a nice story write up about it here. Especially first part is relevant to Lt. Fedorov.
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