Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class – Numbered Award No. 439340 – Researched – Frisch-Nehrung 1945!

A fine original Soviet Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class (Орден Отечественной войны II степени), wartime issue, manufactured by the Soviet Mint and bearing serial number 439340 on the reverse.

Established on 20 May 1942, the Order of the Patriotic War became one of the Soviet Union’s most important combat decorations of the Second World War. It was awarded to soldiers, NCOs, officers, partisans, and other military personnel who distinguished themselves through acts of courage, leadership, and battlefield achievement against German forces during the Great Patriotic War. The order existed in two classes, with the 2nd Class recognizing significant personal bravery and combat merit.

This particular decoration is especially desirable as it remains numbered and researchable, with accompanying archival documentation identifying the original recipient as:

Sergeant Sergei Petrovich Gordenko
338th Rifle Regiment, 96th Gomel Red Banner Rifle Division

According to the wartime award recommendation dated 11 May 1945, Sergeant Gordenko distinguished himself during the final offensive operations in Germany. During the assault on a fortified enemy position near the Frisch–Nehrung area, he was the first to attack enemy trenches and led his squad forward under fire. Overcoming determined German resistance, his unit broke into the enemy defensive line. During the action he personally eliminated enemy soldiers with hand grenades and contributed directly to the successful capture of the position.

For these actions he was recommended for and awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class, a decoration reserved for proven combat merit and personal courage in battle.

Historical Significance

The Order of the Patriotic War was the first Soviet order established during World War II and one of the most respected decorations awarded on the Eastern Front. More than 950,000 examples of the 2nd Class were awarded during the war, recognizing countless acts of bravery performed under combat conditions.

Documented and identified examples such as this are highly sought after because they allow collectors to connect a specific award directly to a named soldier and a recorded act of battlefield heroism.

Condition

• Original wartime issue.
• Serial number 439340.
• Soviet Mint marked (“Монетный Двор”).
• Attractive red and white enamel with honest age wear.
• Original screwback construction with matching screw plate.
• Accompanied by archival research identifying the recipient and citation.
• Untouched collector condition.

A compelling and historically significant Soviet combat decoration, awarded to a front-line sergeant during the closing battles of the Second World War and backed by surviving wartime documentation.