The order is in silver and enamels; 47.0 mm tall; 48.9 mm wide; weighs 31.7 g without the screw plate. Features approx. 9 mm wide mint mark in tall font. The reverse is relatively flat. This specimen was manufactured in 1945 at the Moscow Mint.

In fine to very fine condition. The enamel has shallow chips and surface flaking along the edges of the upper and lower right arms that do not penetrate to silver and are therefore not too detractive. Additionally, there are a couple of tiny flakes to the tips of the other arms and some tiny contact marks throughout. The center medallion shows scratches and moderate amount of wear, but most of its details are quite well defined. Nice dark patina to both sides. The screw post is full length, over 12 mm. Original WW2 era screw plate is included. Overall, this is an attractive wartime piece with character and without any glaring flaws.

The Order Booklet, Series B #114169, was issued on 6 May 1948. It contains entries for two decorations, the Red Star and an Order of the Patriotic War 2nd cl.; both made at the same time when the document was filled-out. The starting date for special privileges is February 1945, which corresponds with the January award decree for the Red Star, chronologically the first of the two decorations.

The document is excellent condition. There is practically none of the usual wear to the cover; its cloth binding is almost pristine. The interior pages are also very clean, with only minimal stains from the rusted staples.

Yuri Prozorov was born in 1924. In August 1942, he joined the Red Army, and starting from May 1943 fought in the Patriotic War. Although by the early 1945 he had been wounded in action twice and promoted to sergeant, he had no military decorations as of that time. Serving as machine gunner with the 392nd Rifle Regiment, 73rd Rifle Div., 48th Army, 2nd Belorussian Front, Sgt. Prozorov earned his first combat award on 23 January while repelling a desperate German counterattack near Allenstein, south of Koenigsberg, East Prussia. He raked the enemy from the flank with the fire of his heavy machine gun, killing up to 20 Nazi soldiers and thus making a significant contribution to stopping the enemy (on the same day as this action was unfolding, the 2nd Belorussian Front's tank forces briefly broke into Elbing and reached the Baltic coast isolating the German pocket in Koenigsberg.)

Prozorov's second and final wartime decoration was for another defensive skirmish in East Prussia. On 22 February 1945, he eliminated 12 German soldiers while repelling a fierce counterattack that threatened the Soviet bridgehead on the Passarge River. On 9 March, Sgt. Prozorov was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd cl. by a general order of the 29th Rifle Corps for his brave actions that helped to retain the bridgehead.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award commendations for both decorations. Information about the 73rd Rifle Division can be found in Vol. 10 Red Swarm of the Charles Sharp's WW2 Soviet Order of Battle series.