Article about: Seaman 1st Class Vasily Fedorovich Lutsyuk His Red Star 553516 Comrade Lutsiuk has been fighting the German invaders since the very first days of the Patriotic War. To August 1942, Comrade L
By some method, this medal made its way to New Delhi, India, where I got it for nearly nothing. And then the research . . .
Ryzhkov Grigory Mikhailovich, Shoemaker of the 77th Detached Intercommunication Company of the 227th Berdichevsk, holding the Order of the Red Banner, Assault Aircraft Division
Medal for Military Merit - 1492295
In July 1943, numbering the 86th rifle regiment he participated in the battles on Kurskaya Duga where he was wounded in the left thigh. Next time he was wounded in the left foot on the right-bank of the Dnepr. Later he was treated at an evacuation hospital.
In the duration of stay in the 77th detached intercommunication company since December 1943 he proved himself as a perfectly disciplined and industrious soldier. He works well as a shoemaker having time to repair up to 10 pairs of shoes a day, being very busy. He shows much initiative in manufacturing tools and searching for the materials. In spring 1944 in the absence of materials for soles he used old branch pipes of the rubbered fabrics. This method of manufacturing entirely justified itself. The shoes repaired by the comrade Ryzhkov is used by the soldiers for a long time.
Conclusion: Comrade Ryzhkov deserves the government award, Military Merits medal – for his active participation in battles defending our Motherland and his great and selfless work in our military unit.
in any of the groupings you've seen or collected, have you ever seen an American medal in the ribbon bars? I know of a few medals were exchanged between the Allies, but are there any photos of russian officers with American medals?
Yes, such awards took place. The usually accepted numbers are:
Distinguished Service Cross - 53
Navy Cross - 1 (plus?)
Distinguished Service Medal - 20
Silver Star - 119
Legion of Merit - 321
- Chief Commander - 7
- Commander - 35
- Officer - 85
- Legionnaire - 194
Distinguished Flying Cross - 1 (plus?)
Bronze Star Medal - 40
Although, given the post-War political climate, there may have been other awards.
Such groups are uncommon, ghiven these numbers. The closest I have been able to get is a Legion of Merit certificate (too large to scan easily) to Guards Colonel Ilya Yudovich Kterin (the Americans got his name very wrong). Some day I should get his service record . . . .
And just one example, Colonel I.I. Shumilin. As most Soviets did, he has remounted his Legion of Merit commander for wear as a breast badge. Taken in 1961, this interesting photo shows him wearing both his LoM and his Chinese medal for friendship (and Soviet assistance in the 1950s). Few US personnel wore their Soviet awards in the Cold War climate, but most Soviets did; make of that what you will.
Marginal to the forum's focus, but interesting, I hope.
Chief Marshal of Aviation Alexander Ivanovich Koldunov
One tiny -- but, to me, interesting -- part of his gigantic group that has been strewn to the four winds. He was a WW II ace, 46 kills and double HSU. Commander of Soviet Air Defence, 1978-87, he was among those dismissed after the Mathias Rust scandal in 1987, the largers military purge sincxe the 1930s and one of the factors in the Soviet collapse.
In April 1984, he had been awarded the Lenin Prize "for work in regional radar location" -- in other words, for his development of the air defenses of the USSR. A few months before, in September 1983, that defense system had downed the KAL 007 flight.
A little piece of history.
The award and his photo from the accompanying small certificate (like many high awards, it had both large and small certificates.
Captain-Lieutenant Vladimir Vasil'evich Vas'kovsii
Look closely at the long service medals . . . .
His MMM recommendation:
Comrade Vas'kovsky V. V. while being a security officer of the Special Department of KGB USSR showed himself an active, disciplined, and responsible officer. He actively participates in works of the local party chamber and is a candidate of local party bureau.
He participated in five long-haul voyages. In November 1982 as K-424 crew member he participated in the development of new tactical procedures, including the use of an atomic submarine under the ice fields of the Central Arctic. That included fourteen ice-breaking surfacings done by K-424. He did a great amount of work to ensure the state security amongst the crew of the submarine.
Both in everyday life and during the long-haul voyages, he spends all his energy maintaining high combat readiness of the atomic submarine and strengthening personnel’s military discipline.
His active work helps the Command fulfill combat missions aimed at the defense and protection of the state interests of the USSR.
"or successful fulfillment of Command's tasks and developing new tactical procedures for use of atomic submarine’s weapons from under the ice fields of Central Arctic he deserves to be awarded with the medal 'For Valiant Labor'.
An interesting award recommendatyion, changed to the MMM as it went up the chain of command.
Think: The first 15 minuted of "The Hunt for Red October"?
Posting this for those who think late groups and navy and KGB people can't be researched.
Sergeant Oleg Alexandrovich Baklan, Sapper, assistant platoon commander, 181st Motorized Infantry Regiment, 108th Motorized Division, 40th Army, Turkestan Military District
Red Star 3774119, recommendation:
In Democratic Republic of Afghanistan since March 1984. During this time he took part in ten large-scale mission aimed at destruction of rebel bands. Personally cleared and destroyed 238 of enemy IEDs. While doing that he showed personal courage, bravery and sensible initiative.
On October 4, 1985 while being the head of weapon hideout search group Sgt. Baklan was working on area demining and found a sizeable enemy weapon depot with large amount of munitions and medical supplies. The most valuable trophies captured in that hideout were two anti-aircraft guns and one recoilless rifle.
For personal bravery and courage well beyond the call of duty Sgt Baklan deserves to be awarded with order of the Red Star.
And his unnumbered Medal "For Military Merit":
In Democratic Republic of Afghanistan since March 1984. During this time he took part in four large-scale and eighteen small-scale combat missions (aimed mainly at intelligence data verification and escorting of various convoys), where he proved to be courageous and stirring soldier.
On November 11, 1984 while being a member of the advance squad Junior Sergeant Baklan despite great risk to his life under enemy fire cleared a part of the road by disabling one large IED and four anti-tank mines. As a result of that the convoy was able to proceed, escaping the area of strong enemy fire.
For bravery and courage shown while on the international friendship mission helping brotherly Afghani people Jr. Sgt Baklan deserves to be awarded with Military Merit medal.
Re: Some of my Soviet medal groups
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