Description
Researched Soviet Order of the Red Banner #308785
Awarded to Pilot Guards Jr. Lieutenant Ivan Semyonovich Guba (Иван Семенович Губа)
Possibly for Long Service in the Red Army
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 45.42 mm in height including its eyelet, 37.81 mm in width and weighs 24.9 gram without its suspension. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
The order is in excellent, well above average condition with light overall wear and a medium dark patina on both sides. Even the higher laying parts such as the center wreath and the torch have crisp details. Both the white and red enamels are beautiful and without flaking or repairs. It comes with an old brass suspension and uncut connection ring.
This Red Banner appears to have been awarded for long service but since he was less than 10 years in the Red Army at the time of bestowal in 1948 (and Red Banners were given for 15 year service), we are not entirely sure this was the case.
Because we already had the information below on file, we added this to the listing as background information. Please note that the citation is NOT for this Order of the Red Banner but for his other one!
Description of his feat of arms for his Red Banner #62997:
He has been participating directly in the combat missions of the Patriotic war since March 1943. In this period, he made 25 combat sorties with the missions of aerial bombardment, reconnaissance of the enemy troops and the enemy rear area, aerial photography. He is very eager to go to the missions and successful in their execution, exhibiting determination and persistence, courage and bravery.
On 09 June 1943, our aviation group delivered a strike at the enemy Siverskaya airfield. He finished the mission and released his bomb load despite intensive enemy anti-aircraft fire. The mission resulted in 15 enemy aircrafts being destroyed, one ammunition and one fuel depots exploded. The results are confirmed by the headquarters of the 13 Airforce and the escorting fighter pilots.
On 18 July 1943, he made 3 reconnaissance missions to the areas of Krasnogvardeisk, Sieverskaya, Vladimirskaya, Novo-Lisino, Tosno, Voitolovo. Despite the severe enemy anti-aircraft fire opposition from the ground, he remained calm and persistent. He fulfilled the missions and photographed the objectives, bringing back valuable intelligence, which allowed the Command to increase the combat efficiency of the strikes.
On 19 July 1943, he flew a mission with the purpose of photographing the rail stations Novo-Lisino and Vladimirskaya with the subsequent bomb strike at these targets. He accomplished his mission: the targets were photographed and the released bombs destroyed the rail line and the station buildings, which was documented on the photographs.
On 22 July 1943, he delivered a dive bomb attack at an enemy command centre near Voitolovo. Direct hits were registered. On 25 July 1943, in a group of 5 aircrafts, he bombarded the enemy forward line near Lobanovo. As the result of this mission, a bridge across Mga river was destroyed, direct hits to the buildings and the enemy artillery positions were registered. Powerful explosions followed and 2 fires were started. The results were confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots and the photographs.
On 27 July 1943, he flew as a leading pilot in a group of 2 aircrafts with a ground strike mission against the station Tosno. A direct hit to a train was registered, which resulted in 3 fires. Confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots. In the following attack against the Tosno station, this time as part of the squadron, an enemy field depot was destroyed, which was confirmed by the photographs.
On 29 and 30 July 1943, a group of 6 aircrafts delivered dive bomb strike against the enemy artillery positions near Sinyavino. The mission was accomplished. A direct hit was registered. Confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots.
For courage, persistence and bravery exhibited in the combat missions against the German invaders, he deserves state award – order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the citation can be found here
More information on Lt. Guba can be found here
We also included scans of the citation for Red Banner #62997, the degree and a combat diary
Please contact us with questions regarding this item
