Please help identify my late Grandfather's Soviet medal!

**shimyns** · 12-20-2016, 05:03 PM

Hello,

I know the photo I've attached is really unclear but it's all I have. My Grandfather was a Czechoslovakian Jew that escaped a Nazi death camp and was captured by the Soviets. He became a Russian paratrooper and after a successful mission that involved the capture of a Nazi general he (reportedly) received this medal from Stalin. Anyway, I would immensely appreciate it if someone here could identify this medal for me.

Thanks so much,

S

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 12-20-2016 05:03 PM

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**jamie7d7** · 12-20-2016, 05:17 PM

Hi shimyns

Might it be this medal - The Czechoslovakian medal of valour. It looks similar to that in the photo you post.

I don't think this medal was issued until 1946, perhaps others may know better

**shimyns** · 12-20-2016, 05:24 PM

Hi jamie7d7,

Thank you very much for your suggestion. I will take a very close look at this. From my Grandfather's picture, it looks like there's a point coming out of the top left corner that is absent in this medal but maybe that's not actually a point. The color scheme of the ribbon is very similar.. but I'm not sure if exactly? Also, I really don't know if by that time, he was anywhere near (fought) Czechoslovakia and I'm trying to find more details.

Thanks for your suggestion, I will look closely at this medal!

And if anyone else has any ideas I'd much appreciate them.

**shimyns** · 12-20-2016, 05:28 PM

by shimyns

Hi jamie7d7,

Thank you very much for your suggestion. I will take a very close look at this. From my Grandfather's picture, it looks like there's a point coming out of the top left corner that is absent in this medal but maybe that's not actually a point. The color scheme of the ribbon is very similar.. but I'm not sure if exactly? Also, I really don't know if by that time, he was anywhere near (fought) Czechoslovakia and I'm trying to find more details.

Thanks for your suggestion, I will look closely at this medal!

And if anyone else has any ideas I'd much appreciate them.

Also, my understanding is that he was a soldier in the Russian army and therefore I would have expected it to be a Soviet medal.. but my historical knowledge is very lacking.

**jamie7d7** · 12-20-2016, 05:34 PM

Yeah no problem.

I recognised the medal in your photo as the czech one as prior to my trip to prague in november I had done a little research into what medals i might find.

Someone may correct me but I think most Russian ww2 medals were either badges or the double ribbon effect. I don't suppose you know when your grandfather was given the medal?

Happy (info) hunting, Jamie

I await correction.

**shimyns** · 12-20-2016, 06:00 PM

You may have gotten it right! I just spoke with my Aunt who said she recalled it was the "zachbros". After searching online, I found that the medal that you suggested is called the "Ceskoslovenskou Medaila za Chrabrost [Medal of Valor] ".

Za Chrabrost. So she pronounced it wrong but it seems like this is the one! Thank you very much!