Russia – Soviet: An early Karelian Offensive Order of Glory 3rd Class awarded to Guards Sergeant Viktor Georgievich Stenin, a Gunlayer of the 105th Independent Guards Anti-Tank Battalion, 206th Guards Rifle Regiment for accurate fire suppressing 1 pillbox, 3 bunkers and a number of Finns.
Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, numbered 170496
Condition: Good very fine
Viktor Georgievich Stenin was born in Moscow in 1925, and having received 7 grades of education, joined the Komsomol in 1943 and served in the Red Army from January 1943 onwards.
This Order of Glory 3rd Class was Stenin’s first award, issued to him by Order of the 98th Guards Rifle Division on 9th July 1944, whilst serving as a Guards Sergeant, 105th Independent Guards Anti-Tank Battalion, 206th Guards Rifle Regiment in the role of a Gunlayer, as a result of the following recommendation:
‘One of the best layers of the 2nd battery, self-composed, tenacious (illegible). Distinguished himself in battles for the settlement of Nazarevskaya: acting from open firing positions, with accurate fire he suppressed 1 pillbox, 3 bunkers, and up to 1 (illegible) of Finns. Manoeuvring skilful and cunningly, he rapidly changed firing positions, thus safeguarding the gun and its equipment.
Guards Efreitor Stenin Viktor Georgievich deserves the award of the Order of Glory 3rd Class.’
Signs for the Commander of 105th Independent Guards Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion Dobrovolsky.
Stenin would go on to receive a Medal for Bravery by Decree of the 296th Guards Rifle Regiment on 3rd June 1945, and subsequently an Order of Glory 2nd Class by Order of the 9th Army on 22nd August 1943, finally a Medal for the Victory over Germany.
After the war he was serving as the Commander of the Headquarters Section, 294th Independent Anti-Tank Battalion, whilst living at Apartment 123, building 9A, Rochdelskaya Street, city of Moscow.
