Unfortunately I dont have a current photo for these, they were both awarded to the same person and I have had them researched with the soldiers info ( he was an infantry machine gunner ) and citations for them below. Citations in bold
1. Award card
Order booklet B 159181
1. Last name: Ovsyukov
2. Name and Patrionymic: Mikhail Evdokimovich
3. Rank: Junior Sergeant
4. Sex: Male
5. Birthyear: 1904
6. Birthplace: Grigorevskii Selsovet, Amvrosievskii Region, Stalin Oblast
7. Party Membership: n/a
8. Education: elementary
9. Nationality: Ukrainian
10. Service in the Red Army: October 1943-August 1945
11. Place of service and duty position at time of awarding: 336 Rifle Regiment, 126 Rifle Division, 54 Rifle Corps, 3 Belorussian Front - machinegunner
12. Place of service and duty position at the current time: Stalin Oblast, Amvrosievskii Region, Grigorevskii Selsovet, Collective Farm #518 – collective farm worker
13. Home of Record: Same
14. Awards
Award Serial Number Awarder
Bravery Medal 902.452 690 Rifle Regiment dated 13.3.1944
Red Banner 173.556 4 Ukrainian Front dated 11.5.44
OPW I 191.091 54 Rifle Corps dated 6.5.1945
Verified 27 May 1946
2. Award card
A second award card dated 30 May 1947 captures the above information, but includes 2 Guards Army as being under 3 Belorussian Front, not 4 Ukrainian Front. The 2 Guards Army served earlier under 4 Ukrainian Front, then shifted to 3 Belorussian Front late in the war. It also adds Bravery Medal #2.955.776 awarded by the 126 Rifle Division dated 19.4.44. It also specifies the dates of service as 9 October 1943 through 21 August 1945.
3. Award Citation
Award Sheet
Order 03/N of the Commander, 690 Rifle Regiment, 126 Gorlov Red Banner Rifle Division, 2 Guards Army 18 March 1944.
On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme soviet USSR, I award the Bravery Medal to:
22. Rifleman Private Mikhail Evdokimovich Ovsyukov, 4 Rifle Company, 2 Rifle Battalion, who on 18 October 1944 in fighting for Melitopol displayed exceptional bravery and courage. Under a hurricane of enemy fire he got himself into position and destroyed with grenades a heavy machinegun and three Germans. During the defense he daily kept watch on the enemy and while on watch destroyed two Germans.
Born 1904, Ukrainian, non-party member, in Red Army since 1943, inducted by Grigorevskii Regional Military Commisariat (Stalin Oblast). Home of record: Stalin Oblast, Amrosievskii Region, village of Grigorevka.
Signed Commander, 690 Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Brodskii
4. Award Citation
Award Sheet
1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Ovsyukov, Mikhail Evdokimovich
2. Rank: Private
3. Duty position: Machinegunner – Light Machinegun, 2 Rifle Battalion, 690 Rifle Regiment, 126 Gorlov Red Banner Rifle Division, 2 Guards Army
Application for the Order of Glory II Class
4. Birthyear: 1904
5. Nationality: Ukrainian
6. Party Membership: n/a
7. Time in the Combat: SW, Caucasian, and 4 Ukrainian Fronts since 1941
8. Wounds or contusions: n/a
9. In Red Army: since 1941
10. Inducted by: Stalin Oblast, Amrosievskii Regional Military Commissariat
11. Earlier awards: n/a
12. Home of record: Stalin Oblast, Amrosievskii Region, village of Grigorevka
Short description of personal combat feat or service
On 8 April 1944 in fighting for the city of Armyansk after losing his assistant gunner, Comrade Ovsyukov moved from his firing position and delivered deadly fire on the counterattacking enemy while the enemy opened fire upon our attacking infantry. Comrade Ovsyukov selected a convenient position for observing the enemy and delivered confident and accurate fire. In this engagement Comrade Ovsyukov suppressed two enemy heavy machineguns and moving into the enemy rear, destroyed an enemy mortar crew of five Germans, thus permitting our units to advance with no further losses.
He is deserving of the Order of Glory II Class.
Signed Commander, 690 Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Brodskii on 18 April 1944
118 Heavy Howitzer Twice Red Banner Artillery Brigade, 6 MAD, RGK, Colonel Recommended downgrade to Bravery Medal by Commander, 126 Gorlov Red Banner Rifle Division Hero of the Soviet Union General-Major Ka(?) in April 1944
Awarded the Bravery Medal by Order 016 of the 126 Rifle Division dated 19 April 1944.
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Yep, thats the one. Mr Ovsykov has 2 of them swing mounted along with another 2 medals.
not bad for an old fella - being approx 40 years old at the time !
Yep, he probably didnt "volunteer" to enlist either
Most likely a forced induction. In regards to the second Bravery Medal, they originally awarded him an Order of Glory 2 nd class which was incorrect......you have to have an Order of Glory 3rd class before you can get a 2nd class. So in affect, he was "downgraded" to a bravery medal.Inducted by: Stalin Oblast, Amrosievskii Regional Military Commissariat
He was also awarded an Order of the Red Banner in 1944 and an Order of the Great Patriotic War 1st Class in 1945......one day I might get some further research and see what he was awarded them for.
It all makes life seem pretty easy and tame these days doesnt it ?
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