Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Hero of the Soviet Union and Order of Lenin pair awarded to Lieutenant V. N. Kovalenko, 235th Guards Rifle Regiment

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Gold Star Medal of a Hero of the Soviet Union, 2nd type, gold, reverse impressed, ‘1402’, rectangular riband suspension with screw-backed fitting, suspension ring twisted; Order of Lenin, 5th type, variation 1 breast badge, gold, platinum, and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘15797’, with Monetny Dvor mint mark and riband suspension, very fine and better (2) £5,000-£7,000

Vasily Naumovich Kovalenko was born at Ivanovoselische, Globinsky District, Poltava Region, Ukraine, on 3 December 1920, and joined the Red Army in 1940. He served during the Great Patriotic War from July 1942, and as a Guards Senior Lieutenant commanded an Artillery Battery of the 235th Guards Rifle Regiment, 7th Guards Army, Steppe Front, during the forced crossing of the Dnieper. On 26 September 1943 his battery was amongst the first to land on the opposite bank of he river, near Borodaevka, and in the fight for the bridgehead it destroyed two weapon emplacements and eliminated a large group of enemy soldiers. On 10 October 1943 Kovalenko skilfully directed the fire of his battery during the repelling of the enemy counterattack, and as a result two enemy tanks were disabled and their crews captured alive. For his gallantry he was appointed a Hero of the Soviet Union on 26 October 1943.

Kovalenko graduated from Leningrad Highest Artillery Officer School in 1945. The following year he transferred to the Reserve, but was recalled in 1952 and served for a further four years, being advanced Captain. He subsequently retired to Odessa. In addition to the Gold Star Medal of a Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin, he also received the Orders of the Patriotic War, First and Second Class; two Orders of the Red Star; and various campaign medals.

Sold with the recipient’s original Bestowal Document for a Hero of the Soviet Union, in embossed red leather folder; the recipient’s original Awards Booklet, which confirms both numbered awards; a presentation silver cigarette case, given to the recipient on his 40th birthday, with inscription to reverse; and copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.