Russia – Soviet: Medal for Bravery awarded to Sergeant Ivan Maksimovich Molchanov, a Squad Commander in the 100th Guards Rifle Regiment, 25th Guards Rifle Division for his courage in repelling a German counterattack on his home village during which he personally destroyed 7 enemy soldiers.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, reverse numbered 2978001
Condition: red enamelling of lettering still present, Good Very Fine
Ivan Maksimovich Molchanov was born in the village of Nikolaevka, Petropavlovsk District, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast in 1926, a Ukrainian national, he attained an elementary education and served in the Red Army from September 1943 saw service with the 100th Guards Rifle Regiment, 35th Guards Rifle Division and was awarded the Medal for Bravery by decree of the 100th Guards Rifle Regiment on 28th February 1944. It appears this award was not handed to Molchanov at the time of the award, but as a result of post war correspondence with the Main Personnel Directorate on 3rd July 1947. Maksimov was awarded the Medal for Bravery for an action which involved defending his home village, the recommendation reading as follows:
‘Rifleman, 2nd Rifle Battalion, Guards Private Molchanov Ivan Maksimovich for the following: while repulsing enemy counterattacks on 5th February 1944 in the area of the village of Nikolaevka, Comrade Molchanov courageously repelled attacks and personally destroyed 7 enemy soldiers. By his example, the inspired the soldiers of his unit.’.
He was unemployed after the war and had returned to living in his home village which he had so courageously defended.
