Description

Soviet Medal for Combat Merit #116340

Awarded to the Jewish Sr. Politruk* Iosif Evelovich Borsch (Иосиф Эвелович Борщ)

Made of solid silver. Measurements; 32.18 mm in diameter and 2.87 mm in thickness. The height of the medal is 36.48 mm (including the eyelet) and the eyelet itself is 5.22 mm wide. The medal weighs 22.8 gram without its suspension and 30.5 gram with the suspension but without the nut. The suspension measures 25.32 mm in width at the narrow part and 31.71 at its wide part.

The medal for Combat Merit is in great, well above average condition with few small dings and scratches. Its details are remarkably crisp and all the red lacquer is present. The silver suspension is original as is the brass screwplate. Its connection ring is probably old but has been cut.

Interesting piece with a not often seen citation!

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

“Sr. Politruk BORSCH I.E. has been in the battalion since its formation. He has performed the duties of the company Politruk and the secretary of the local VKP(b) organisation. He dedicated a lot of effort to raising fighting spirit among the company troops, increasing activity among the Party and Komsomol members, properly explained and inspired them to fulfil the combat objectives given by the Command. Comrade BORSCH’s company conducted a great deal of work during the company combat deployment period: rebuild the bridge across the river Yuon near the village Veshenskaya, bill new and repaired existing roads, built commander and observation posts, minelaying missions on the front line, raft and assault ladders construction, construction of pillboxes, and many other tasks.

In the engagement for the khutor Maliy Gromok and the hill 132.5 on 24 November 1942, his company provided engineering reconnaissance of the roads for the assaulting unit. Comrade BORSCH was among the enlisted men and the commanders. He properly set up the tasks for fulfilment of the given objectives. The company executed all its missions quickly and with good quality.

Comrade BORSCH deserves to be bestowed with medal “For Combat Merits”. ”

*A political commissar or political officer (or politruk), is a supervisory officer responsible for the political education (ideology) and organization of the unit they are assigned to, and intended to ensure civilian control of the military.