Description

Soviet Order of the Red Banner #75112

Awarded to Guards Senior Lieutenant Ivan Semenovich Ishchenko (Иван Семенович Ищенко)

For fulfilling a critical task during the 4th battle of Kharkov and thereby saving the life of his regimental commander and eliminating 13 Germans with his rifle and grenades

Recommended for the Order of Lenin

This original order of the Red Banner is made of silver and enamels. It measures 40.55 mm in height, 36.61 mm in width and weighs 25.0 gram without its screwplate. The serial number and mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse. The minimum known serial number in this range is 67729 and the maximum 79807.

In a nice, about average condition with an appealing dark patina to the silver on both sides. The details are mostly present and the higher laying parts like the center wreath shows light to medium wear. The enamel shows some chipping which is often seen with these fragile screwback Red Banners. Still, the damage is less than average and over 80% of the enamels is still present. Its screwpost has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period silver screwplate.

A scarce screwback with very interesting research!

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

“In the battles near the village of Borovoe, Kharkov region, on 08.24.1943, the regiment, being surrounded for three hours, had no connection with either the regiments or the divisions headquarters. Guard Senior Lieutenant Ishchenko, having received an order to contact the regiment headquarters, with two signalmen went to the regiment headquarters by a telephone wire, where he stumbled upon a group of enemy machine gunners up to 50 people. Comrade Ishchenko, not forgetting about the order, with a rifle butt and a grenade began to break through the enemy’s ring, coming to the regiment’s headquarters and reporting the situation, comrade Ishchenko receives an order to carry a radio to the place of the encircled regiment. Comrade Ishchenko fought his way through the enemy’s ring again and quickly re-established communication. Thanks to the rapid restoration of communications, the regiment quickly broke out of the enemy’s encirclement ring and destroyed more than a battalion of its infantry. In this battle, Comrade Ishchenko annihilated 11 enemy soldiers and two officers with a rifle butt and a grenade and led his regiment commander out of the encirclement. Comrade Itsenko deserves the highest award, the Order of Lenin.”

More information on Lt. Ishchenko can be found here

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