Description
Order of the Red Banner #135181
Awarded to Corporal Alexey Ilyich Bratina (Алексей Ильич Братина)
For crossing the Vistula river by swimming under heavy artillery and mortar fire from the enemy, correcting broken telephone lines and for personally annihilating 15 fascists with his personal weapon during three enemy counterattacks
For his bravery Corporal Bratina was recommended for the title ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’!
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 45.34 mm in height, 37.60 mm in width and it weighs 25.2 grams without its suspension. The serial number and mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
In excellent, well above average condition with light wear on the higher laying parts like the center wreath and most details crisp. The white enamel is flawless and the red enamel shows a couple of minor superficial flakes around the edges of the top banner only; barely visible with the naked eye. Both sides show appealing rainbow-like patina to the silver. Its connection ring has been cut and the order comes with its time period double layer suspension and old ribbon.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
In the fighting on 28 and 29 July 1944, Corporal A. I. Bratina supported uninterrupted communication between the observation and basic posts of the batteries, while in the combat formations of infantry crossed the Vistula River and immediately established a connection to the west bank of the Vistula River, working without rest for 2 days, he three times crossed the Vistula river by swimming under heavy artillery and mortar fire from the enemy, correcting the broken telephone line. Maintaining uninterrupted communication on the radio and on the wire, thus ensure continuous fire of the batteries. On the western shore of the river Vistula he was personally involved in the reflection of three enemy counterattacks, annihilating 15 facist soldiers with his personal weapon.
For unexampled personal bravery and skilful organization of an uninterrupted communication, Corporal Bratina is worthy of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the award of the Medal Gold Star and the Order of Lenin.
More info on Corporal Bratina can be found here
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