[SIZE="3"]- Documents group of Sergeant Vasiliy Nikiforovich Shpagin, Hero of the Soviet Union (#4596)
Document for the Medal Victory over Germany dated March 4th, 1946, Serial #K0446164
Document for the Medal 20th Anniversary of Victory dated December 10th, 1965 by the President of the Executive Committee of the Chernigov Regional Council, Serial #A1739561
Document for the Badge 25th Anniversary of Victory
[/SIZE]
[SIZE="3"]Document for the Medal 30th Anniversary of the Soviet Armed Forces dated August 4th, 1948 by the Headquarters of the Ukrainian MVD Chernigov Region
Document for the Medal 50th Anniversary of the Soviet Armed Forces dated February 14th, 1968 by the Chernigov Regional Military Commissariat, Colonel Krasnik
Document for the Medal 60th Anniversary of the Soviet Armed Forces dated Feberuary 21st, 1978 by the Chernigov Regional Military Commissariat, Colonel Starinskiy
[/SIZE]
[SIZE="3"]Order Book for the Medals for Meritorious Service, 2nd Class (#707, October 27th, 1958) & 1st Class (#405, October 31st, 1962) by the Ukrainian MVD Chernigov Region
Certificate, Veteran of the 13th Army dated October 27th, 1982
Certificate, Veteran of the 350th Zhytomyr Red Banner Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division dated November 19th, 1986
[/SIZE]
Here is the original citation for his Star №4596. Shpagin was born 19th January 1913 and died 18th September 1995 so the Ukrainian 50th should be his last award.
There should also be a 10 years "For Combat Merits" out there somewhere too as he worked for the MVD for 22 years after the war.
[trans: stamped “1st Ukrainian Front” along with administrative data]
350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division, 24th Rifle Corps, 13th Army, 1st Ukrainian Front Order 037/N dated 7th August, 1944
On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations for exemplary accomplishment of the Command’s missions in the struggle against the German invaders and for having displayed valor and bravery:
1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Shpagin, Vasiliii Nikiforovich
2. Rank: Sergeant
3. Duty position: Gun Commander – 917th Artillery Regiment, 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsy Rifle Division, 24th Rifle Corps, 13th Army
Recommendation for the Order of Glory III Class
4. Born: 1913, Novo-Sibirsk Oblast, Kemerovo, New Colony
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: since 5.1944 #6380471
7. Previous combat: 1.42 Western Front, 12.42 SW Front, and since 11.43 1 Ukrainian Front
8. Wounds or shell-shock: lightly wounded 2.02.42 on Western Front
9. In Red Army: since 1.1942
10. Inducted by: Kemerov Regional Military Commissariat, Novosibirsk Oblast
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]
Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment
On 17.07.44 in combat for M. Druzhkopol (Lvov Oblast) while among infantry formations, with his cannon he destroyed two machinegun positions, two carts with ammunition and as many as 12 enemy soldiers and officers while repelling two enemy counterattacks.
On 18.07.44 his cannon was among the first to cross the Western Bug River with only available, on-hand means.
On 19.07.44 in combat for Bele (Lvov Oblast) his cannon fire destroyed a vehicle and as many as six enemy soldiers and officers.
For displayed personal valor and bravery he is deserving of the Order of the Red Star.
Signed Commander, 917th Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Yashchuk on 31st July, 1944
Endorsed Artillery Commander, 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Pavlovets on 3rd August, 1944
Awarded the Order of Glory III Class by 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Division Order 037/N dated 7th August, 1944. Signed Division Chief of Personnel Major of Administrative Services Salandin
1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Shpagin, Vasiliii Nikiforovich
2. Rank: Sergeant
3. Duty position: Gun Commander – 917th Artillery Regiment, 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsy Rifle Division, 24th Rifle Corps, 13th Army, 1st Ukrainian Front
Recommendation for the title Hero of the Soviet Union
4. Born: 1913, Novo-Sibirsk Oblast, Kemirov
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: n/a
7. Previous combat: 2.2.42 on the SW Front and since 10.11.1943 on the 1st Ukrainian Front
8. Wounds or shell-shock: lightly wounded 2.02.42 on South-Western Front
9. In Red Army: since 2.2.42
10. Inducted by: Kemirov Regional Military Commissariat, Novosibirsk Oblast
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]
Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment
In fighting against the German invaders during the forced river crossing of the Vistula River on 30.07.1944 he displayed valor and heroism. Under heavy, enemy artillery, mortar fire and aviation, his cannon and a small number of infantry were the first to cross to the far bank of the Vistula and entered uneven combat against a numerically superior enemy during which they destroyed as many as 70 soldiers and set two enemy tanks on fire. In this manner the enemy was repelled in a northwestern direction and the bridgehead was held for the crossing of the main body.
For displayed bravery and heroism he is deserving of the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
Signed Commander, 917th Artillery Regiment, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Dmitriev on 2nd August, 1944
Endorsed Artillery Commander, 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Pavlovets on 3rd August, 1944
Endorsed Commander, 350th Zhitomir Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division, Guards General-Major Vekhin on 5th August, 1944
Endorsed Commander, 24th Rifle Corps, Guards General-Lieutenant (?) and Corps Artillery Commander (?) on 12.8.44
Endorsed Artillery Commander, 3rd Artillery, General-Major of Artillery Kubeev on 28th August, 1944
Endorsed 18th Army Commander General-Colonel (?) and Member of the Military Committee General-Major (?) on 31st August, 1944
Stamped “Bestowed the title Hero of the Soviet Union and awarded the Order of Lenin and Gold Star Medal according to an edict of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR dated 23.09.1944.
