Glory III,491102,Sub-Machine Gunner,1089th Rifle Regiment

jefflgarrison · 03-22-2009, 11:18 AM

This is the second of three award that were dug up between the cities of Luban and Zgorzelec Poland.

The recipient was Junior Sargent Michael Ivanovich Kovagin. Comrade Kovagin was 32 years of age when he recieved his award.

His award was an "Order of Glory 3" for the following reason:

In combat on August 21-22, 1944 in the region of the village of Baranów, junior sargent Kovagin showed courage and bravery. Operating a heavy machine gun comrade Kovalin repulsed two enemy counterattacks, personnaly eliminating 12 German soldiers and in addition to that comrade Kovagin killed with the butt of his gun a German officer who had previously killed the company commander. Through his heroic action comrade Kovagin also saved the life of a soviet officer.

Another interesting thing about the awarding of the order is that in the "Prekas" that Marco provided (extra bonus with all his work), 35 OG3's were awarded, with 19 going to men within his own 1089th Rifle Regiment. These guys must have seen some pretty intense fighting.

EricFG · 03-22-2009, 12:29 PM

What's it look like Jeff? I always like to see ground-dug things for some reason.

jefflgarrison · 03-22-2009, 01:11 PM

Eric,

It came to me with the suspension but the medal was in pretty good shape. Which made me go back and question this thing about ground dug on this medal.

For sure the other two were that way. However, I am now questioning the story about where it was found for one reason.

On his award card, what is the date it was finalized? You tell me what you see.

The "PREKAZ" is dead on. The citation is written for the correct time but the award card seems finalized in 1946 after he should have been killed, if he was.

Maybe he lost it in combat but didn't they pay a heavy price for such things?

EricFG · 03-22-2009, 02:09 PM

Sure looks like a "6" to me.

jefflgarrison · 03-22-2009, 02:31 PM

Here is the link to the photos I posted in a previous topic. http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/s...html#post60503

Notice where the suspension would have attached to the star. Serious damage was done to that. Any ideas how that could have happened?

Maybe it might help to add a photo of the front of the award card. There is probably information on there about where he was when the card was filled out.

marcotk · 03-22-2009, 02:41 PM

Hello Jeff!

It does look like a 6 to me as well. if it were a 4 (only possibility) [which could be, since the awarding was in 9/44 and the UK signed in 12/44], then in my opinion, in the award card, there would NOT be listed a "current occupation" or "current address".. I hope I am making my point clear!

Maybe he indeed just lost it and did not report it in 46 when his AWC was written? Too bad that.. since he was not an officer.. we can't research his Service Record.. maybe it woul dhave shed some light!

jefflgarrison · 03-22-2009, 05:06 PM

ok, point taken. It doesn't list a place of service or home address. Could this be a situation of good clerks cleaning up unfinished documents now that they had time?

Great award, fine mystery! Dang!

marcotk · 03-22-2009, 06:06 PM

Jeff,

I wanted to make a point.. and I got the whole thing mixed up!! :o I meant to say (I modified the post above) the opposite! There is a home address, an occupation..(he is something like a delivery man..) so it really looks like he did survive the war..

Next step, is to check whether the path of his unit was indeed where this OG3 was found.. OR if his home address is close to that.. But they are both full with uncertainty.. what if he indeed lost it and then someone took it and lost it himself where it was ground dug..

There is also the possibility that the OG3 was not ground dug at all.. and the seller just thought of making up the story since the OG3 was kind of ruined (the ring). I took a look at it and I must note that the enamel.. is totally intact.. if we compare it with the enamel of the CSM, BM and RS which were ground dug, then.. I think it is safe to assume it is a "fake" ground dug!

ANZAC · 03-22-2009, 06:40 PM

Interesting comments about being a fake ground dug item. As likely proof of this, take note of the wear on the tower on the front. This is caused from years of polishing and rubbing the surface with ones fingers or a cloth. I doubt such wear would occur over a 12 month period, especially if he was on combat operations. the last thing on his mind would be polishing his award.

So, Marco's comment could be true in regards to it possibly being fake ground dug item.

Brendan

Kirchgoens · 03-22-2009, 10:18 PM

You guys definitely have a point. Given that the AC was done in a hometown VK after the war, it seems ole boy may have made it home.

03-22-2009, 11:18 AM	#1
jefflgarrison Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gdańsk, Poland Age: 59 Posts: 381	Glory III,491102,Sub-Machine Gunner,1089th Rifle Regiment This is the second of three award that were dug up between the cities of Luban and Zgorzelec Poland. The recipient was Junior Sargent Michael Ivanovich Kovagin. Comrade Kovagin was 32 years of age when he recieved his award. His award was an "Order of Glory 3" for the following reason: In combat on August 21-22, 1944 in the region of the village of Baranów, junior sargent Kovagin showed courage and bravery. Operating a heavy machine gun comrade Kovalin repulsed two enemy counterattacks, personnaly eliminating 12 German soldiers and in addition to that comrade Kovagin killed with the butt of his gun a German officer who had previously killed the company commander. Through his heroic action comrade Kovagin also saved the life of a soviet officer. Another interesting thing about the awarding of the order is that in the "Prekas" that Marco provided (extra bonus with all his work), 35 OG3's were awarded, with 19 going to men within his own 1089th Rifle Regiment. These guys must have seen some pretty intense fighting. __________________ "Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski Last edited by jefflgarrison; 03-23-2009 at 09:06 AM.

03-22-2009, 12:29 PM	#2
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 What's it look like Jeff? I always like to see ground-dug things for some reason. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

03-22-2009, 02:09 PM	#4
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 Sure looks like a "6" to me. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

03-22-2009, 02:41 PM	#6
marcotk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy, US Posts: 130	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 Hello Jeff! It does look like a 6 to me as well. if it were a 4 (only possibility) [which could be, since the awarding was in 9/44 and the UK signed in 12/44], then in my opinion, in the award card, there would NOT be listed a "current occupation" or "current address".. I hope I am making my point clear! Maybe he indeed just lost it and did not report it in 46 when his AWC was written? Too bad that.. since he was not an officer.. we can't research his Service Record.. maybe it woul dhave shed some light! __________________ Best, Marco Last edited by marcotk; 03-22-2009 at 06:00 PM. Reason: argh!

03-22-2009, 05:06 PM	#7
jefflgarrison Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gdańsk, Poland Age: 59 Posts: 381	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 ok, point taken. It doesn't list a place of service or home address. Could this be a situation of good clerks cleaning up unfinished documents now that they had time? Great award, fine mystery! Dang! __________________ "Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski

03-22-2009, 06:06 PM	#8
marcotk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy, US Posts: 130	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 Jeff, I wanted to make a point.. and I got the whole thing mixed up!! :o I meant to say (I modified the post above) the opposite! There is a home address, an occupation..(he is something like a delivery man..) so it really looks like he did survive the war.. Next step, is to check whether the path of his unit was indeed where this OG3 was found.. OR if his home address is close to that.. But they are both full with uncertainty.. what if he indeed lost it and then someone took it and lost it himself where it was ground dug.. There is also the possibility that the OG3 was not ground dug at all.. and the seller just thought of making up the story since the OG3 was kind of ruined (the ring). I took a look at it and I must note that the enamel.. is totally intact.. if we compare it with the enamel of the CSM, BM and RS which were ground dug, then.. I think it is safe to assume it is a "fake" ground dug! __________________ Best, Marco Last edited by marcotk; 03-22-2009 at 06:22 PM.

03-22-2009, 06:40 PM	#9
ANZAC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 59 Posts: 343	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 Interesting comments about being a fake ground dug item. As likely proof of this, take note of the wear on the tower on the front. This is caused from years of polishing and rubbing the surface with ones fingers or a cloth. I doubt such wear would occur over a 12 month period, especially if he was on combat operations. the last thing on his mind would be polishing his award. So, Marco's comment could be true in regards to it possibly being fake ground dug item. Brendan __________________ "If we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks exactly as it were not there." Marshall Geogi Zhukov to General Eisenhower, 1945

03-22-2009, 10:18 PM	#10
Kirchgoens Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Mid Atlantic Age: 57 Posts: 351	re: Glory III,Ground Dug,491102 You guys definitely have a point. Given that the AC was done in a hometown VK after the war, it seems ole boy may have made it home.

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