Description

Soviet Medal for Bravery #82972

Awarded to Petty Officer 1 class Ivan Ivanovich Nemilostivij (Иван Иванович Немилостивий)

For bravery on the M-117 submarine

Made of solid silver. Measurements; 37.21 mm in diameter and 2.97 mm in thickness. The height of the medal is 41.96 mm (including the eyelet) and it weighs 30.3 gram without its suspension. The suspension measures 25.58 mm in width at its narrowest point and 32.18 at its widest point.

The medal for Bravery is in nice condition with medium wear. The details of the higher laying parts like the rivets on the side of the tank and the canons are mostly present. The enamel filling the letters is lost. This is seen often with these early wartime medals which were worn during severe combat situations. The red ribbon on its suspension appears to be time period and very old. Its connection ring has not been cut.
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Extremely rare to find an award to a submariner. Especially with great research and photo material!

Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:

“In the Patriotic war, comrade Nemilostivij always excellently provided uninterrupted communication during the sea patrol missions and during the naval tours. He is the best radioman in the submarine brigade. Just after a short training, he mastered the new equipment and now knows it inside out. During the sea patrols, comrade Nemilostivij always provided self made and quick repairs to the radio equipment damaged in the enemy marine and aerial depth charge bombardments. He took part in the Sevastopol defence. When the submarine was stationed in Sevastopol in the “Southern” bay, it sustained heavy damage and begun sinking, after two 100kg bombs exploded just 1-2 meters away from the hull. Comrade Nemilostivij’s brave, decisive, and proactive actions contributed greatly and the vessel was saved.

He participated in five combat patrol missions, all of which were conducted in exceptionally difficult circumstances. After sinking an enemy 2000 tons transport on 25 March 1943, the submarine was subjected to the enemy aerial bombardment. The radio equipment malfunctioned due to bomb explosions. Comrade Nemilostivij personally restored the equipment and thus provided the connectivity to the main naval base, which assisted the success of this combat mission and successful return to the home base.

M-117 Submarine Captain Lt.-Commander signature /A. KESAEV/

09 April 1943″

The translation of the research:

Citation

Nemililostivij was also awarded the Medal of Ushakov and the Medal for Combat Merit. More info on him can be found here