Russia – Soviet: A Breech-Block Operator’s Medal for Bravery awarded to Efreitor Nikolai Vasilevich Mamonov, 2nd Battalion, 62nd ‘Tamam’ Army Artillery Brigade for continuing to sort the actions of rifle units in spite of the fact his firing positions were being subjected to savage fire from the enemy, despite the loader being wounded, he continued to stand at the gunsight and inspire the rest of his comrades.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, the reverse numbered 559201
Condition: mounted on wartime suspender with the majority of the red enamel lettering to the obverse still present, better than Very Fine
Nikolai Vasilevich Mamonov was born in the Atyurevsky District of the Mordovian SSR in 1923. A Russian national he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in March 1942.
He would see frontline service during 1942 where he would take part in the Defence of the Caucasus receiving the medal for this campaign. He would go on to receive this Medal for Bravery by decree of the Commander of the 62nd Army Artillery Brigade on 6th November 1943.
Issued for service as an Efreitor and Breech-Block operator, 2nd Battalion, 62nd ‘Tamam’ Army Artillery Brigade of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command, the citation reads:
‘In the area of the hamlet of Bely, one of the batteries, the one in which Comrade Mamonov was serving, was ordered to support the actions of our rifle units, in spite of the fact that the firing positions were being subjected to savage fire from the enemy.
The battery opened fire, but soon the loader was wounded. In spite of this, Comrade Mamonov stood at the gunsight and inspired the rest of his comrades. Deserves awarding of the Medal for Bravery.’
Mamonov would later fight during the Berlin offensive and would receive an Order of Glory 3rd Class by decree of the Commander of Forces of the 69th Army on 21st May 1945. He would be in receipt of the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw and the Medal for the Capture of Berlin as well as the Medal for Victory over Germany.
By 8th January 1947 he was employed as a Driver, 10th Heavy Howitzer Artillery Brigade and was living in the village of Bazarnye-Dubrovski in the Atyurevsky District, Mordovian SSR.
