Russia – Soviet: A Rifleman’s Medal for Bravery awarded to Private Stepan Vasilevich Ignatev, 2nd Motorised Rifle Battalion, 15th ‘Vapuyaro’ Motorised ‘Red Banner; Rifle Brigade for destroying 4 enemy officers with fire from his sub-machine gun during the fighting for the settlement of Fikutsy.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, the reverse numbered 1302813
Condition: the red enamelling of the letters on the obverse now largely absent, otherwise Good Very Fine
Stepan Vasilievich Ignatev was born in the village of Koinae, Leshukonsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast in 1925.A Russian national he attained an elementary education and joined the Red Army in January 1943 seeing service with the 1st Ukrainian Front from 30th January until 26th February 1944 and then with the 2nd Ukrainian Front from 5th March 1944. Noted as previously having been awarded an Order of the Red Star in May 1943, this Medal for Bravery would be Ignatev’s second award, issued by decree of the 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade on 20th May 1944.
Issued as a Private and Rifleman, 2nd Motorised Rifle Battalion, 15th ‘Vapnyaro’ Motorised Red Banner Rifle Brigade, the citation for the award reads:
‘In battle on 2nd May 1944 for the settlement of Fikutsy, he destroyed 4 enemy officers with fire from his sub-machine gun.
He displayed bravery and courage, and inspired the troops to feats of arms by his example.’
Ignatev would also be awarded an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 34th Guards Motorised Brigade on 24th February 1945 a further Red Star by decree of the 34th Guards Rifle Brigade on 16th May 1945, as well as a Medal for the Victory over Germany.
By 19th August 1946, Ignatev would be employed as a Baker with Mobile Field Bakery No. 734 and would be living in the village of Koinae where he was born
