Russia – Soviet: A Baltic offensive Order of Glory 3rd Class to Red Army Soldier Ivan Osipovich Chistov, an Assistant Gun Layer with the 2nd Machine Gun Company, 1193rd ‘Dvinsk’ Rifle Regiment, 360th ‘Nevel’ Red Banner Rifle Division, 1st Baltic Front for supporting the advance of Red Army infantry units from his heavy machine gun near the village of Libas on 27th October 1944. His actions enabled the capture of enemy trenches and while repelling a German counterattack he exterminated 18 German soldiers and destroyed one light machine gun..
Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, the reverse numbered 200244
Condition: Very Fine
Ivan Osipovich Chistov, a Russian national was born in 1923. He would see service in the Red Army from 1944 onwards being wounded on 24th July 1944, before performing the act that would lead to the award of this Order of Glory 3rd Class his sole numbered award.
Issued to him whilst serving as a Red Army Soldier and Assistant Gun Layer, 2nd Machine Gun Company, 1193rd ‘Dvinsk’ Rifle Regiment, 360th ‘Nevel’ Red Banner Rifle Division, 1st Baltic Front, the recommendation reads:
‘Comrade Chistov, in battle for the village of Libas on 27th October 1944, supported the advance of our infantry units with fire from his heavy machine gun. Thanks to his fire from the heavy machine gun, our infantry rushed into the enemy trenches and captured them. In addition, while repelling a German counterattack, with fire from his machine gun, he exterminated 18 German soldiers and destroyed one light machine gun. As a result of this, the enemy attack was repulsed with great losses for them.
For courage and bravery displayed in battle of the Motherland, Comrade Chistov deserves the government award the Order of Glory 3rd Class.
He would subsequently be wounded on the 31st October 1944. The end of October 1944 saw heavy fighting in the Baltic region which resulted in the forming of the Kurland pocket and the platform for the later attack into East Prussia.
As this award was issued in the field, this by decree of the 6th November 1944, little further is known about the soldier it was awarded to, such as his post war employment for instance.
