Russia – Soviet: A Baltic Offensive Order of Glory 3rd Class awarded to Senior Sergeant and 76mm Gun Commander Ivan Konstantinovich Ilenko, 438th Rifle Regiment, 129th ‘Orlov’ Red Banner Rifle Division, who destroyed 2 enemy medium machine guns and suppressed a hostile 20mm mortar battery, whilst also destroying up to 20 German soldiers and officers. The recipient would later be decorated with an Order of Glory 2nd Class in addition to a Medal for Bravery and an Order of the Red Star.
Order of Glory 3rd Class, reverse numbered 119729
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Ivan Konstantinovich Ilenko was born in the village of Voskresenka, Buriinsky District, Sumy Oblast in 1922. A Ukrainian national, he attained a middle school education and subsequently joined the Red Army from October 1940, seeing frontline service from August 1941.
Initially serving on the Western Front from August 1941 until February 1942 he would have taken part in the defence of Moscow and the subsequent counter-attacks. From February 1942 until March 1943 he would have served as part of the Northwestern Front, and then from March until October 1943 on the Bryansk Front during which time he received a Medal for Bravery by decree of the 438th Rifle Regiment on 25th July 1943 and an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 129th Rifle Division on 21st October 1943.
He would then serve with the 1st Belorussian Front from October 1943 until July 1944 before transferring to the 2nd Belorussian Front in July 1944. This Order of Glory 3rd Class would be awarded to him by decree of the 129th Rifle Division on 10th September 1944 whilst serving as a Senior Sergeant and Gun Commander, 76mm Gun Battery, 438th Rifle Regiment, 129th ‘Orlov’ Red-Banner Rifle Division. The recommendation reads:
‘In the battle for the village of Linchiki on 20th August 1944, Senior Sergeant Ilenko, with his gun, supported the offensive of the 2nd Rifle Battalion. In spite of strong enemy artillery and mortar fire, Senior Sergeant Ilenko laid accurate fire on the enemy. He destroyed 2 enemy medium machine guns, suppressed the fire of a hostile mortar battery, and destroyed up to 20 German soldiers and officers, which facilitated the fulfilment of the battalion’s combat missions.’
This action would have formed part of the Baltic offensive towards the Baltic in Latvia.
Ilenko would go on to be awarded an Order of Glory 2nd Class by decree of the 3rd Army on 17th April 1945. Surviving the war he would be working as a Quality Inspector a the Vologda Oblast Office for the Procurement and Distribution of Hay. He lived in the Podlesnaya building in Vologa.
