Russia – Soviet: A Leningrad Front Medal for Bravery awarded to Junior Sergeant Nikolai Yakovlevich Orlov, 2nd Battery, 60th Artillery Regiment, 92nd Rifle Division, Leningrad Front for taking part in 9 direct firings, on one occasion there were five White Finnish firing positions and he damaged four of them. Whilst firing over open sights on 3rd July 1944 from a 122mm howitzer, with accurately aimed fire, he smashed an enemy DZOT with eight direct hits out of 17 and despite of the fact that his gun was fired on by the enemy from guns and mortars he continued until the DZOT was completely destroyed.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, the reverse numbered 243123
Condition: Mounted incorrectly with a ribbon for a Combat Merits Medal, the red letter enamelling now largely absent, Very Fine
Nikolai Yakovlevich Orlov was born in Lyuban Station, Leningrad Oblast in 1914. A Russian national he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in June 1941.
Orlov would fight against the Finns as part of the Leningrad Front, his first award would be this Medal for Bravery by decree of the 60th Artillery Regiment on 8th July 1943 at which time he was serving as a Junior Sergeant and Gunlayer, 2nd Battery, 60th Artillery Regiment, 92nd Rifle Division, Leningrad Front, the citation for the following:
‘While carrying out combat missions, he always displays courage and steadfastness and sets the example of fortitude and composure for the soldiers of his crew. Taking part in 9 direct firings, on one occasion, there were five White Finnish firing positions and he damaged four. While firing over open sights on 3.7.44 from a 122mm howitzer, with accurately aimed fire, he smashed an enemy DZOT, with eight direct hits out of 17 shots, and in spite of the fact that his gun was fired on by the enemy from guns and mortars, he continued to fire until the DZOT was completely destroyed.’
Orlov would later be issued with an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 92nd Rifle Division on 25th February 1945 and an Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class on 9th April 1945.
By 24th March 1948 he would be employed as an Electrician in the housing office of the Service and Utility Office, Primorskoi District whilst living at Apartment 8, Pushkin Street 13, city of Leningrad.
