U.S. Army Decorations Awarded to Red Army Personnel in World War II

[medals73]

Has Chuikov put in his appearance?

[Jeffrey Meffert]

Originally Posted by slava1stclass

Gents,

A Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire to a Red Army lieutenant. All things considered, a somewhat inflated award considering his junior rank.

Regards,

slava1stclass

I don't know about that. In addition to his other awards, he has 2 nevsky's. We can't be sure what he did to deserve those and the LOM but it was probably pretty special.

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Meffert

I don't know about that. In addition to his other awards, he has 2 nevsky's. We can't be sure what he did to deserve those and the LOM but it was probably pretty special.

Jeff,

As it was newly instituted, part of the explanation lies in the fact the Legion of Merit was the decoration of choice for foreign recipients - the reason behind its four distinct degrees. In the U.S. Army, however, it is only awarded for achievement not involving combat valor/heroism (unlike the case with some of the Army's sister services which do award it for combat valor).

As it was such a new decoration back then, there was much confusion over the award criteria - to include for U.S. personnel. It is not uncommon to see instances of the Legion of Merit awarded to U.S. Army master sergeants and lieutenants at that time - Audie Murphy among them. Today, however, such instances of combat-related Legion of Merit awards to these ranks are nonexistent.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

This is the first time I've ever encountered an immediate post-war image of a Red Army soldier wearing U.S. Army Airborne wings.

We know U.S. Army personnel were awarded Red Army Guards badges at war's end. We now have evidence of a Red Army officer wearing U.S. Army jump wings.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[desantnik]

Great pic, I don't think I've ever seen a Russian ever wear US jump wings!

[CtahhR]

I would suggest that this has more of a just post-war passing of the bottle to it, rather than wartime passing of an act of congress.
Have you seen a Russian wearing one yet? This guy's SOVIET.

[desantnik]

Russians were Soviets too.

[Will]

The photo to which I referred in my earlier post.
It is an official US Army photograph.
I do not recall the name of the Soviet General, though it is noted on the back of the photograph.

Note the young American officer standing between the Soviet General and the American Colonel. He wears the crossed rifle insignia of U.S. Infantry, as well as a Soviet Guards badge! I am presuming that he was the interpreter for the ceremony.

[medals73]

Looks like a decoration swap to me.

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

Trust me - a bona fide, airtight Bronze Star Medal award to a foreign recipient.

Regards,

slava1stclass