Description
Order of the Red Star #850433
Awarded to Senior Lieutenant Nikolay Andreevich Kurylev (Николай Андреевич Курылев)
For exceptional courage and leadership in 1941 as commander of an anti-tank squad, leading successful reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines, extinguishing a burning flamethrower under heavy fire, and inspiring his battalion in a frontline attack near As (Crimea) despite being wounded
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 49.81 mm in width, 48.06 mm in height and weighs 31.5 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post.
This order is in excellent, well above average condition. Even the raised areas on its obverse show their details perfectly crisp. The enamels are extremely well preserved without dings scratches or repairs. Its screw has not been shortened and the well fitting screwplate is time period to the order.
Great piece with interesting research
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
During 18 August – 05 October 1941, Senior Lieutenant KURYLEV was serving as a commander of an anti-tank squad of the 1st battalion, 7 marine infantry brigade. From the first days of his service in the battalion, comrade KURYLEV was fully dedicated to prepare his unit for fighting against the German invaders and exhibited great resourcefulness and skill, being driven by his high sense of duty and limitless love and devotion to the Motherland. In the short time available, he managed to prepare and train well his squad. Disregarding his personal spare resting and slipping time, he also conveyed his experience to other anti-tank squads.
Serving on the first combat line of the 1st battalion, comrade KURYLEV proved himself as a courageous, determined, and decisive officer, who was always on the first line of his unit, and who always executed his combat missions given by the battalion commanders.
Comrade KURYLEV and his squad twice went for reconnaissance missions behind the enemy line. Both times he brought back valuable intelligence sustaining no losses during the mission.
03 October 1941, an enemy mortar mine set ablaze one of our flamethrowers deployed for anti-tank defence. The raging flames brightly illuminated the battalions positions and was threatening to ignite other flamethrowers. Leading his squad, comrade KURYLEV and his men promptly extinguished the flames, while risking their lives under constant enemy machinegun and mortar fire opposition.
04 October 1941, in a battle near the settlement As (Crimea) near the salty lakes, comrade KURYLEV was on the spearhead of the battalion attack and was drawing the other men forward by his personal example. He was wounded and severely contused in this combat engagement.
Since February 1942, comrade KURYLEV has been working in the control and drill section of the headquarters of the main Navy base. He exhibited high discipline, skill and diligence. Overcoming difficulties, he conducted extensive work for gathering and allocating reinforcements to the ship crews and coastal units of the main Navy base, and worked for organisation of roper service routines on the ships and coastal units.
For exemplary execution of his assignments, for exhibited courage and bravery in the fight against the German invaders, comrade KURYLEV deserves state awards order “RED BANNER”. [later downgraded to a Red Star]
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More info on Senior Lieutenant Kurylev can be found here
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