Russia – Soviet: A Wagon Driver’s Medal for Bravery awarded to Guards Red Army Soldier Illarion Spiridonovich Kulev, 3rd Rifle Battalion, 81st Guards ‘Budapest’ Rifle Division for courageously supplying ammunition to sub units of the regiment under enemy fire from 1943 until the end of the war.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, reverse numbered 2929710
Condition: red lettering possibly re-enamelled, otherwise Good Very Fine
Illarion Spiridonvich Kulev was born in the village of Sud-Ivanovka, Podgorensky District, Voronezh Oblast in 1900, a Ukranian national, he was conscripted into the Red Army on 30th August 1941 and saw service as a Wagon Driver, Supply Battalion, 3rd Rifle Battalion from 1943. This Medal for Bravery awarded by decree of the 81st Guards ‘Budapest’ Rifle Regiment on 30th June 1945 was his sole award, it was made for the following:
‘Over the whole duration of his service in the regiment since 1943, he has selflessly and courageously worked to deliver ammunition to advancing sub-units of the regiment under enemy fire, delivering them directly to the battle lines, which facilitated the units’ successful advance.’
This would indicate that Kulev fought throughout the campaign to recapture Ukraine during 1943-1944 as well as in the Siege of Budapest, ending the war taking part in both the Vienna and Prague Offensives.
By October 1947 he was working as a Kolkhoz foreman, at the ‘Five Year Plan’ Kolkhoz in Podgorensky District
