WWII Soviet Medal for Courage “Za Otvagu” – Researched – Capture of Krasny Bor (Fought vs. Spanish & Flemish Volunteers!) – 63rd Guards Rifle Division

Original Soviet Medal for Courage (Медаль “За Отвагу”), serial numbered №1533348, complete with original suspension and ribbon. This medal comes with extensive research identifying the recipient and includes copies of original Soviet award documentation.

Awarded to Guards Senior Sergeant Vladimir Ivanovich Olekhnovich (Олехнович Владимир Иванович), a decorated frontline NCO of the Red Army with an impressive combat record.

Olekhnovich was born in 1919/1921 in Bogodukhov, Kharkov region, Ukrainian SSR and was drafted via the Bogodukhov District Military Commissariat in late 1939. He served throughout the war in multiple frontline units and replacement formations before distinguishing himself in combat with the elite 63rd Guards Rifle Division.

During his wartime service, Olekhnovich served in several formations, including:

• 188th Guards Rifle Regiment, 63rd Guards Rifle Division
• 133rd Guards Artillery Regiment, 63rd Guards Rifle Division
• 269th Rifle Regiment
• Various reserve and recovery battalions

He held ranks from Junior Sergeant up to Guards Senior Sergeant, serving as a frontline NCO in combat roles.

This Medal for Courage №1533348 was awarded for actions during the fierce battles around Krasny Bor in February 1943, one of the major engagements near Leningrad.

Russian transcription:

II. Наводчика орудия батареи ПА Гвардии старшего сержанта АЛЕХНОВИЧА Владимира Ивановича за то, что он в бою за овладение поселком Красный Бор с 10 февраля по 12 февраля 1943 года прямой наводкой из своего орудия разбил две огневые точки противника, подавил три станковых пулемета и расстрелял группу немцев 25–30 человек.

1919 года рождения, кандидат ВКП(б), украинец, призван в РККА Богодуховским РВК Харьковской области. Домашний адрес.

English translation:

II. Guards Senior Sergeant Vladimir Ivanovich Alekhnovich, gun layer of the battery, is recommended for the award for the fact that during the battle for the capture of the settlement of Krasny Bor, from 10 February to 12 February 1943, by direct fire from his gun he destroyed two enemy firing positions, suppressed three heavy machine guns, and eliminated a group of 25–30 German soldiers.

Born in 1919, candidate member of the VKP(b), Ukrainian, drafted into the Red Army by the Bogodukhov District Military Commissariat, Kharkov Region.

According to the award citation, Olekhnovich distinguished himself through personal bravery under intense enemy fire. During the heavy fighting from 10–14 February 1943, despite continuous enemy artillery and machine-gun fire, he carried out his duties courageously and effectively, displaying notable courage, initiative, and steadfastness in combat.

Research confirms Olekhnovich was a highly decorated soldier who received multiple awards during the war:

• Medal for Courage (2x)
• Order of the Red Star
• Order of Glory 3rd Class

The Medal for Courage was one of the Soviet Union’s most respected combat decorations, awarded strictly for personal bravery under fire. Researched examples awarded for genuine frontline combat actions—especially to Guards unit personnel with multiple decorations—are increasingly difficult to find.

This medal is especially desirable due to:

• Fully researched attribution
• Combat-related award with citation
• Recipient from elite Guards formation
• Multiple wartime decorations
• Strong documented combat record

A highly desirable researched Soviet combat decoration to a decorated Guards NCO with an impressive wartime service record.

Included:

• Original Medal for Courage №1533348
• Research scans / copies of original Soviet award records and citations