Description

Soviet Hero of Socialist Labor #529

Awarded to Pyotr Stepanovich Makarenko (Пётр Степанович Макаренко) 1911-1985

Foreman of the collective farm “Bolshevik” in the Valkovsky district of the Kharkov region of the Ukrainian SSR

Made of solid 23 carat gold. It measures 33.23 mm in height including the eyelet, 30.35 mm in width and weighs 16.8 gram without its suspension. The text Герой Социалистического Труда (Hero of Socialist Labor) is located at the center of the reverse. This early variation has the serial number with large numbers at the 12 o’clock position. The suspension is authentic to the medal and measures 26.28 mm in width at his widest point and 21.27 in height at its narrowest point. The minimum know serial number of this variation is 85 and the maximum is 961 so less then 900 specimens are known.

The star is in excellent condition with sharp edges of the hammer and sickle and few traces of wear. The letters on the reverse are crisp as is the serial number. The authentic suspension includes its time period and original rectangular plate and both the hexagon- and round screwplate. The latter being a rare early variation with a thick rim on its reverse, also used in a certain ranges of the Soviet Hero Star. The connection ring between the suspension and the medal has not been cut and the screw is full length.

A rare piece in excellent condition. Very hard to find!

Short biography of Makarenko:

Makarenko Pyotr Stepanovich – foreman of the collective farm “Bolshevik” in the Valkovsky district of the Kharkov region of the Ukrainian SSR.

Born on January 29, 1911 in the village of Snezhkov (Snezhki), Valkovsky district of Kharkov province, now – Valkovsky district of Kharkov region of Ukraine.

After graduating from a rural school, he worked at a local collective farm before being drafted into the Red Army for mobilization.

Soldier of the Great Patriotic War since June 1941. The entire war he was part of the 245th separate line communications battalion and at the final stage of the war as a company foreman.

After demobilization, Sergeant Major Makarenko returned to his homeland and continued to work on the Bolshevik collective farm (the central estate is the village of Snezhkov) as a field brigade foreman.

As a result of work in 1947, Makarenko’s brigade obtained a rye crop of 30.1 centners per hectare on an area of 40 hectares.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 16 1948, for obtaining high yields of wheat, rye, corn and sugar beet in 1947, Petr Stepanovich Makarenko was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the Order of Lenin and the Hammer and Sickle gold medal.

By the same decree, the chairman of the collective farm “Bolshevik” D. V. Nerovny was awarded a high award.

In subsequent years, the field-breeding brigade of P.S. Makarenko continued to receive high yields of grain and sugar beets. The leader of his brigade, E.I. Tverdokhleb, became the Hero of Socialist Labor for the harvest of root crops in 1965.

He lived in his native village Snezhkov. Died on January 28 1985.

He was awarded the Order of Lenin (16.02.1948), medals, including “For Military Merit” (07.04.1945).

More info on Makarenko can be found here

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