Description

Soviet Order of the Red Banner #215655

Awarded to Tank Commander Captain Yakov Konstantinovich Oleynikov (Яков Константинович Олейников)

For risking his life maneuvering his tank when under attack by 8 enemy aircraft and so diverting the aircraft in the opposite direction of the main tank force. He personally annihilating 19 enemy soldiers by his machine gun

Recommended for the Order of Lenin

Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 45.56 mm in height, 37.65 mm in width and it weighs 27.5 gram without its suspension. The serial number and curved mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.

In excellent overall condition with light wear to the silver of the higher laying parts and its details mostly crisp. The white enamels located at the background is flawless and the red enamel shows some minor superficial flaking and contact marks only. Its connection ring has been cut and the order comes with its old double layer steel suspension.

Short translation of the citation:

“Captain Oleinikov did a great job before sending the the units into battle and perfectly organized the mass-political work of the party to continuously ensure the fulfillment of the orders of the command in battle; he managed to organize and ensure the vanguard role of communists and Komsomol members in battle. His battalion showed examples of courage and heroism in battle, not having a single case of an immoral phenomenon. Since August 5, 1944, he was in the formations of the battalion, being continuously in battles. Where danger was immanent, comrade Oleinikov dragged ahead into the offensive with his tank, carried forward the success of the offensive by personal example and organized the advance. In the Brigshiskat area, on August 07, 1944, the tanks moving to the attack approached a river; comrade Oleinikov organized tankmen and built a crossing over the river, which ensured the passage of the tanks and the movement forward under a hurricane fire from enemy artillery and aviation. Fulfilling the order of liberating the encircled division of Major General Kudryavtsev, Oleinikov took the initiative ordering a tank crew to break through to the encircled division on foot and show them the way out of the encirclement; the crew’s task was completed. He helped the battalion commander to organize a breakthrough to the encircled division. He organized the continuous delivery of ammunition and fuel to the battlefield, personally delivering the ammunition on his damaged tank.

During the raid of 8 enemy aircraft, maneuvering his tank and risking his life, he diverted the aircraft in the opposite direction of the main force of the tanks, subjecting his tank to bombing, personally annihilating 19 enemy soldiers by his machine gun.

Worthy of the governmental award order of “Lenin”.”

More info on Captain Oleynikov can be found here

A scan of a picture of Captain Oleynikov wearing this Red Banner is included in the picture gallery

A link about the 79th Tank Bridage mentioning Captain Oleynikov can be read here

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