Order of Nakhimov, 2nd cl., #162, bestowed in August 1945 upon a submarine officer of the Black Sea Fleet as retroactive award for his submarine service in 1941-42. At that time, the recipient was deputy political commander of the 1st Sevastopol Submarine Brigade, Black Sea Fleet, and took part in sinking of two enemy vessels (one of which was the infamous Romanian ship Struma carrying Jewish refugees.) He also distinguished himself while serving in the same capacity in the defense of Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.

With just 471 ever bestowed, the Order of Nakhimov 2nd cl. is one of the hardest to find Soviet awards - and also one of the most beautiful. Only 28 of them were issued to submariners. This extraordinary piece is in very fine condition. Comes with a copy of the award recommendation and wartime service record.

Order of Suvorov, 2nd cl., Type 2, #733, March 1944 issue to a Maj. General, Rifle Corps Commander, 3rd Ukrainian Front. Awarded for the liberation of Krivoi Rog and 19 settlements in Dnepropetrovsk Region, incl. the former center of Jewish National District of Ukraine. The recipient had been court martialed and sent to GULAG in the early days of the Patriotic War, only to be released in time for the battle of Stalingrad and eventually restored in rank. Later, he received several decorations incl. Kutuzov 2nd cl. and rose to Lt. General. The order is a desirable early piece with a very low serial number for the screw back type. VF/EXC condition. Comes with archival research and English-language biography.

Order of Kutuzov 2nd cl., Type 2 Var. 1 (w. 3 rivets), #1099, awarded in Sept. 1944 to a Maj. General, a Rifle Corps Commander, for holding a bridgehead on the Dniester River against repeated enemy attacks. In the follow-up offensive, his corps destroyed 3 Romanian infantry divisions, eliminated 10,000 Romanian and German soldiers, captured 5,100 POWs, and seized 45 settlements. The recipient was also awarded with the Order of Suvorov 2nd cl., Order of Lenin, and four Orders of the Red Banner. Condition is superb, impossible to upgrade. Comes with archival research and English-language biography.

Order for Service to Homeland, 2nd cl., #1015, c. late 1980s. Very rare: only 589 ever awarded. EXC condition.