Russia – Soviet: An interesting long service Order of the Red Banner awarded to Colonel Ivan Nikitovich Letyagin, a Regiment Commander on the Western Front, who had previously been awarded an Order of the Red Star for directing night raids against the German forces on the approaches to Moscow, one of which resulted in the defeat of a Fascist Company of 225 people, and the capture of 2 machine-guns, 2 telephones, two bicycles and an Unteroffizier. Letyagin would go on to receive an Order of Lenin for 25 years long service having also seen service in the Defence of the Caucasus mountain passes in the winter of 1942-43
Order of the Red Banner, type 3, variation 2, numbered 216109
Condition: Good very fine
Ivan Nikitovich Letyagin was born in the village of Krasnoelskoe, Nizhne-Uvelksy District, Chelyabinsk Region in 1894. Having attained an elementary education, Letyagin became a very early member of the Communist Party in 1917, also joining the Red Army in the same year.
Letyagin was to serve as the Commander of a Regiment on the Western Front during the initial stages of the Great Patriotic War. Participating in the Defence of Moscow, he was to receive an Order of the Red Star by Order of the Western Front on 28th November 1941 as a result of the following recommendation:
‘As commander of the regiment comrade Letyagin did a lot of work to strengthen the combat readiness of the unit, both in the area of defensive work and in the preparation of weapons for battle, pays a lot of attention to the education of personnel. Letyagin developed and directly directed night raids on the enemy, such as:
1. 11/17/1941, a detachment sent by him in the amount of 60 people to der Letvinovo defeated a fascist company in the amount of 225 people, captured two machine guns up to 20 rifles, 2 telephones, two bicycles and captured a Unteroffizier.
2. for the second time, under his leadership, a raid was organized on the village of Tashirovo, where 38 fascists were also killed, a prisoner was taken, one heavy machine gun, 8 rifles and other military property.
Comrade Letyagin is an example of courage and courage for all subordinates, as he is caring about them and demanding of himself and them.'
He would also receive a Medal for the Defence of Moscow, and subsequently a Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus for his part in that campaign in the winter of 1942-43, before going on to receive this Order of the Red Banner for 20 years long service on 30th April 1945, and then an Order of Lenin for 25 years long service in November 1945. He was also in receipt of a Medal for the Victory over Germany.
At the time of receipt of his final award on 19th August 1946 he was noted as discharged and sent to the reserve, whilst living at No.57 Mikhelsona Street in the village of Ukhtomskaya, Moscow Raion.
