Soviet Medal Order of the Patriotic War "Starback" 1944, Fighter Escort for VIPs

Description: Soviet Russian USSR WWII medal Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class with serial number in the 60-70-thousand range, “starback” variation, awarded in September 1944 to Major Pyotr Altanets, Flight Commander in the 965th Fighter Aviation Regiment, for escorting trains & passenger aircraft carrying VIPs, and for ferrying aircraft to the front, while flying on lend-lease “Hurricanes” and “Airacobras”!Altanets first served with his regiment near Arkhangelsk, but in March 1943 was transferred to the Caucasus. The regiment provided air cover for important State and military installations in the area around Grozny, Chechnya for the remainder of the war. His most notable missions – for which he was awarded this Order of the Patriotic War – occurred in March 1943, when he provided air cover for a VIP train between Kursavka and the recently liberated strategic city of Armavir, and in June 1943, when he escorted a VIP transport and passenger LI-2 aircraft between Kropotkin and Armavir. For these missions, he was recognized with gratitude certificates by Command. In addition to his security flights, Altanets ferried aircraft – 19 total, of all types – over great distances from the rear to reinforce frontline units. Altanets served in the Soviet Air Force until 1957, earning the Combat Service Medal and an Order of the Red Star for 10 and 15 years of service, respectively. He earned an additional Order of the Red Star (1955) and Order of the Red Banner (1957) “for flying in challenging meteorological conditions” while flying MiG fighters with a regiment based in East Germany. Condition is great, as seen in the images! The serial number of the award is authentic and matches the serial number shown in the archival documents, obviously! If you require confirmation in advance, please send me a message, and I will gladly provide images. Over time, I have found that redacting award serial numbers in certain listings (particularly of researched awards) has acted a simple and effective filter to sort good customers from troublesome eBay hooligans. Reasonable, rational collectors who are genuinely interested in the history represented by an award will make the effort to reach out and will quickly find that everything is in order. Winner will be provided with archival research (18 pages - including Award Record Card) in electronic format, unredacted, in color, plus an archival portrait of Altanets, also in electronic format. Professional English translation of the Record Card and Citation is available if requested before receipt of item. No returns. All questions in advance. I will answer all coherent, respectful inquiries to the best of my ability. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE only through eBay’s Global Shipping Program (GSP). With this program: once the item is delivered to the address to which eBay directs me to ship, all responsibility for final safe delivery of the item to the buyer becomes eBay’s. I am categorically not responsible for any problems that arise once the item is in eBay’s possession. Note: combined shipping is not available through the GSP. If you wish to combine shipping, you must contact me in advance to make arrangements. Buyers from any country in the exclusion list must always contact me in advance of purchase. I will not accept purchases from buyers with shipping addresses in these countries without advance notice. If you contact me, as I am requesting of you, you will likely find your purchase approved. Shipping will then be through the GSP. Please see my other listings. Lots of excellent Soviet medals! Many additional high quality pieces available that are not yet listed. Please inquire. Thank you!

Price: 475 USD

Location: North Brunswick, New Jersey

End Time: 2024-04-08T17:35:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10 USD