Description
Order of the Red Banner #65438
Awarded to Lieutenant Vasily Semyonovich Prekrasnij (Прекрасный Василий Семенович)
For making 80 rounds of crossing the river Dnieper during the night under a hurricane of enemy fire. By personal example and with courage Prekrasnij was one of the first to carry over our infantry and mortar troops
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 40.70 mm in height, 36.54 mm in width and weighs 24.5 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
The order is in excellent, well above average condition. All details are crisp and even the higher laying parts such as the torch and center wreat show light to medium wear. The red enamels are almost completely present without repairs and only shows a minor chip at the bottom of the top banner and the 3 o’clock ray of the center star. The white enamels are flawless. The order has never been converted to a suspension type and the long screw maintained its full length. The order comes with its time period and well fitted silver screw plate.
Scarce in this condition
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
“Engineer platoon commander Lieutenant PREKRASNIJ V.S. has efficiently organised his units work during the forced crossing of the river Dnieper near the village Pan’kovka on the night to 26 September 1943.
Comrade PREKRASNIJ’s platoon utilized 4 foldable wooden boats and was one of the first to carry over our infantry and mortar troops to the right bank. Under hurricane of enemy fire, they made 80 rounds during the night.
Keeping the work under enemy barrages and providing efficient command of his troops, comrade PREKRASNIJ led his platoon by personal example of courage and bravery inspiring them to achieve the combat objective. He maintains good discipline in his unit. He is devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland.”
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More information on Lt. Prekrasnij can be found here
Also present in the picture gallery is an image of Lt. Prekrasnij and two battle maps of the Dnieper in September 1943
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