Soviet Guards Officer Portrait – Guards Captain Ivan V. Melnik – 35th Guards Tank Brigade – Stalingrad – Multi Award Recipient
Original Soviet portrait photograph of Ivan Vasilyevich Melnik (Иван Васильевич Мельник), officially identified on the reverse with military stamp and signature dated 11 March 1963.
A highly attractive researched Soviet officer portrait showing Melnik wearing an impressive array of wartime and postwar decorations, including multiple orders and medals.
Research confirms Melnik served in the Red Army from 1940 onward and rose to the rank of Guards Captain, serving as Assistant Chief of the Political Department of the 35th Guards Tank Brigade.
This researched group includes multiple wartime award recommendation sheets documenting his distinguished frontline service.
Known awards include:
- Order of the Red Star
- Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class
- Medal for the Defence of Stalingrad
- Additional campaign and long-service medals
An early award recommendation from December 1942—during the period of the Battle of Stalingrad—describes Melnik displaying courage and exceptional leadership under heavy artillery fire and aerial bombardment.
Comrade Melnik, serving in the 550th Rifle Regiment (126th Rifle Division) since 30 November, has shown himself to be a disciplined and brave commander. On 19 December 1942, in the area of height 116.2, despite strong enemy artillery fire and bombardment by hostile aircraft, Comrade Melnik and his company did not retreat from their assigned position and firmly held their sector. Thanks to his skillful leadership, the assigned combat mission given to the unit was fully accomplished. He is devoted to the cause of Lenin-Stalin and the Socialist Motherland.
Later citations from 1944–1945 document his service with Guards armored formations, where he distinguished himself as a political officer during offensive combat operations, repeatedly operating near frontline positions under dangerous battlefield conditions.
His award documents praise his leadership, devotion to duty, and significant contribution to maintaining morale and discipline during combat.
Included:
- Original named Soviet portrait photo
- Officially stamped identification on reverse
- Multiple wartime award citations (digital scans)
- Full research on recipient and service history
A highly desirable researched Soviet officer grouping with strong historical appeal, ideal for collectors of Soviet militaria, armored warfare, and Red Army award groups.
€35,00
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Historical Description
Original Soviet portrait photograph of Ivan Vasilyevich Melnik (Иван Васильевич Мельник), officially identified on the reverse with military stamp and signature dated 11 March 1963.
A highly attractive researched Soviet officer portrait showing Melnik wearing an impressive array of wartime and postwar decorations, including multiple orders and medals.
Research confirms Melnik served in the Red Army from 1940 onward and rose to the rank of Guards Captain, serving as Assistant Chief of the Political Department of the 35th Guards Tank Brigade.
This researched group includes multiple wartime award recommendation sheets documenting his distinguished frontline service.
Known awards include:
- Order of the Red Star
- Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class
- Medal for the Defence of Stalingrad
- Additional campaign and long-service medals
An early award recommendation from December 1942—during the period of the Battle of Stalingrad—describes Melnik displaying courage and exceptional leadership under heavy artillery fire and aerial bombardment.
Comrade Melnik, serving in the 550th Rifle Regiment (126th Rifle Division) since 30 November, has shown himself to be a disciplined and brave commander. On 19 December 1942, in the area of height 116.2, despite strong enemy artillery fire and bombardment by hostile aircraft, Comrade Melnik and his company did not retreat from their assigned position and firmly held their sector. Thanks to his skillful leadership, the assigned combat mission given to the unit was fully accomplished. He is devoted to the cause of Lenin-Stalin and the Socialist Motherland.
Later citations from 1944–1945 document his service with Guards armored formations, where he distinguished himself as a political officer during offensive combat operations, repeatedly operating near frontline positions under dangerous battlefield conditions.
His award documents praise his leadership, devotion to duty, and significant contribution to maintaining morale and discipline during combat.
Included:
- Original named Soviet portrait photo
- Officially stamped identification on reverse
- Multiple wartime award citations (digital scans)
- Full research on recipient and service history
A highly desirable researched Soviet officer grouping with strong historical appeal, ideal for collectors of Soviet militaria, armored warfare, and Red Army award groups.
