Description
Order of the Red Star #367780
Awarded to Hero of the Soviet Union Colonel (later Major General) Nikolay Vasilievich Sokolov (Николай Васильевич Соколов)
For exemplary performance of assignments for the formation and organization of training of engineering units and 30 sapper brigades of the Red Army
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.59 mm in width, 46.68 mm in height and weighs 27.9 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post. The minimum known serial number is 235999 and the maximum is 594967.
In excellent, above average condition with medium wear to the raised silver part. The red enamels are problem free without chipping, flaking or repairs and show some small dings and contact marks only. Its reverse is in equally nice condition and shows a medium dark patina. Its screw has not been shortened and the silver screwplate fits well and is time period to the order.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
For exemplary performance of assignments for the formation and organization of training of engineering units and 30 sapper brigades of the Red Army in the position of Head of the Department for the formation of technical troops and excellent leadership of formations in the position of Deputy Head of the Directorate. .
More information on Sokolov can be found here, here and here
Short Biography on General Sokolov
Nikolai Sokolov was born on April 23, 1899 in the village of Akshuat (now the Baryshsky district of the Ulyanovsk region). He received secondary education. He graduated from the Simbirsk Chuvash Teachers’ Seminary (1919). In 1919, Sokolov was called up for service in the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. He participated in the battles of the Civil War. In 1922, Sokolov graduated from military engineering courses in Samara, in 1932 – advanced training courses for command personnel. From January 1943 – on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, he commanded the 3rd pontoon-bridge brigade. Under his leadership the brigade ferried Soviet troops across the Neva, Dnieper, Sluch, Goryn and Dniester and built a “road of life” near Leningrad.
Sokolov’s brigade particularly distinguished itself during the crossing of the Vistula. In the period from 3 to 5 August 1944, parts of the brigade built a floating bridge, ferrying tanks, fuel and ammunition across the river. When the German troops tried to capture the crossing, the soldiers of the brigade repelled their attacks for two days, holding it.
By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 23, 1944, Colonel Nikolai Sokolov was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal under the number 1992 for “skillful leadership of the actions of the pontoon-bridge brigade when building a crossing for the tank army across the Vistula and the personal courage and heroism shown at the same time”.
After the end of the war, Sokolov continued to serve in the Soviet Army. In 1954, with the rank of major general, he was transferred to the reserve. He lived in Kyiv. He died on December 20, 1980, and was buried at the Lukyanovsky Military Cemetery in Kiev.
Also included in the picture gallery are several scans of images of Sokolov, some show him wearing this order of the Red Star
Please contact us with questions
