WWII Soviet Order of the Red Star – Guards Sergeant Anatoly Ignatievich Usoltsev – 221st Guards Rifle Regiment (77th Rifle Division)

Original wartime Soviet Order of the Red Star (Орден Красной Звезды), serial numbered 1,714,457 and complete with its original screwplate which was awarded to Guards Sergeant Anatoly Ignatievich Usoltsev, who served in the 221st Guards Rifle Regiment / 77th Rifle Division.

Guards Sergeant Anatoly Ignatievich Usoltsev was born in 1910 in Altai Krai and served in the Red Army from 1942 until the end of the war. He fought on the Central Front and later the Belorussian Front, where he distinguished himself in combat.

The highlight of this research set is the detailed combat citation for his Order of the Red Star.

During the battle for the village of Lyashkovo, German forces launched a counterattack. Usoltsev moved his weapon forward into the infantry line, held fire until the enemy approached at close range, and then opened devastating fire. According to the official citation, he personally accounted for up to 11 German soldiers killed during this engagement.

In the battle for the village of Lyashkovo, when the enemy launched a counterattack, Comrade Usoltsev moved his machine gun forward into the infantry line and allowed the enemy to approach to close range, then opened fire on the Germans.  In this battle he killed up to 11 Hitlerites.

For this action he was awarded the Order of the Red Star in May 1945, during the final phase of the war.

The records also show that after the war he returned to Altai Krai, where he worked as a tractor driver at the collective farm “Red Ploughman.”

Interesting to note is that he had previously also received the Order of Glory 3rd Class, although this research set is focused on his Order of the Red Star records.

The Order of the Red Star was one of the Soviet Union’s most respected military decorations and was awarded for bravery, distinguished combat service, and military merit during the Second World War. This example dates to approximately 1945 and represents a genuine wartime award from the height of the Eastern Front campaigns.

The order retains attractive original enamel, clear details, matching serial number, and pleasing age patina. A highly collectible wartime Soviet decoration and an excellent addition to any WWII or Eastern Front collection. Comes with digital scans of his award records, including the original award recommendation sheet (Наградной лист) and postwar registration records.

Features:

• Original WWII Soviet Order of the Red Star
• Wartime serial number 1,714,457
• Original screwback construction
• Original screwplate included
• Good enamel and detail
• Authentic combat-era decoration