Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class: Awarded to the American CDR of the Second Mechanized Cavalry Group.

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings all,

First, a bit of backstory “On 11 May 1945, Soviet Major General Fomenich of the 35th Tank Brigade told Colonel Reed to move the Second Cavalry aside -- his forces were moving forward. Colonel Reed, then under orders to hold his present line, told the Soviet commander, ‘If you go forward, remember, our guns are still loaded.’ Fomenich gave no response. That night, the Regiment received a message from Corps to begin movement back to the U.S. zone, and the Second Cavalry eventually left Czechoslovakia on 14 May without incident. Colonel Reed exemplified the cavalryman’s will and determination in this prelude to the Cold War.”

This (below pictured) award, is one of the artifacts directly attributable to Colonel Charles H. Reed, currently in the collection of the U.S. Army’s Reed Museum & Second Regiment of Dragoons Heritage Center, located in Vilseck, Germany (where the present U.S. 2d Cavalry Regiment is currently stationed on “Rose Barracks”).

It would appear, the Soviets did not take Colonel Reed’s earlier hostility towards them personally, or perhaps simply, the Soviets respected his moxie (as the award’s certificate is dated 12 June 1945). I felt, forum members would enjoy viewing this Soviet award, presented to an American Army Officer along with its accompanying paperwork. And too, while it is hard to see, the award's serial number matches the accompanying certificate.

Regards,

Lance

Double click on the images to enlarge.