Watch List notes:

RUSSIAN MEDALS. ORDERS OF THE USSR. Res e arched Order of Lenin to a Hero of the Soviet Union Savostyanov S.I. Type 3. Award # 8596. Screwback with " mintmark. Original silver nut. Rare variation with hand-engraved serial number. Comes with official research from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, inclu ding award card and citation. Awarded together with early Type 1 GOLD Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union to private Savostyanov S.I. by decree of July 21, 1942. Bestowed by M. Kalinin personally, in the Kremlin, on November 1st, 1942. The citation is unique, as it does not have the usual tiers of comman ders, from immediate regimental, to division, army, etc., but has Marshal Zhukov's name right below The description! The reason for this is that when Zhukov was passing by one of the just liberated villages he noticed a lot of German corps around the trench, and when asked, was told that a single soldier was able to get into Germans' trench during a hand-to-hand fight, and then single handedly held off all the counterattacks by much superior German forces for 6 long hours, until Soviet reinforcements arrived. During Those attacks, the Germans threw over 10 grenades into the trench, which he threw back at them. They also tried to use explosives, but he prevented this by killing the officer and the entire group of German soldiers. Before being helped by reinforcements, private Savostyanov personally killed 17 Germans, including an officer. This is definitely one of the best citations we've ever seen. Rare variation, especially to a Hero of the Soviet Union with unique combat citation! Condition: Enamel on a banner replaced, excellent otherwise

Estimate: US$ 7,500