Description
Order of the Red Banner #22642
Awarded to pilot Master Sergeant Fedor Afanasievich Tarasov (Федор Афанасьевич Тарасов)
For conducting 89 combat missions during the course of the Patriotic war, of which 43 missions since his latest award. Of these missions: 12 reconnaissance missions, 21 ground strafing and bomb strike missions, 3 strikes against enemy airfields. In 18 combat days, he made 22 combat missions, 9 reconnaissance missions. He shot down 1 Me-109f and also hit another
The fighting took place in June 1942, when the German just started rolling towards Stalingrad. Then he continued in the same unit, which was participating in the Stalingrad battle all the way until the end of 1942. His Order of the patriotic War 1st class citation from 1944, mentions that he shot down 3 enemy aircrafts
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 40.07 mm in height, 36.26 mm in width and weighs 24.3 gram. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
The order is in decent, about average condition. The raised areas such as the center wreath and the torch show medium wear and have most details visible. The red enamels are mostly present and original but shows some superficial flaking and loss on two of the rays of the center star and the white enamels are well preserved and problem free. The order was never (re)converted and has no repairs. Its screw has not been shortened and it comes with its time period and well fitting silver screwplate.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits
Comrade TARASOV conducted 89 combat missions during the course of the Patriotic war, of which 43 missions since his latest award. Of these missions: 12 reconnaissance missions, 21 ground strafing and bomb strike missions, 3 strikes against enemy airfields.
In 18 combat days, he made 22 combat missions, 9 reconnaissance missions. He participated in 4 air battles in the sector of Petropolie, 106km southwest of Bulatselovka. He shot down 1 and also hit another Me-109f, which is confirmed by 5 crews of fighter escort. While performing combat photo reconnaissance mission on 07 June 1942, he provided precise and valuable intelligence on enemy movements near the settlements Grakovo and Malinovka.
He is young and bold gunner-bombardier, who proved himself as a remarkable reconnaissance pilot. For exhibited courage and bravery, for persistency during combat missions and excellent reconnaissance results, I RECOMMEND MASTER SERGEANT TARASOV Fedor Afanasyevich for STATE AWARD ORDER “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the research can be read here
More info on Sgt. Tarasov can be found here
Also in the picture gallery is are two scan of images of Tarasov which we found online, an infosheet and evaluation reports of the 270th Bomber Aviation Division
Please contact us with questions
