A while back, I was able to talk to one of the retired generals who was awarded a Patriotic War, 2nd Class. He declined an interview (nor was the award for sale, so don't even ask!) but was willing (not initially though) to answer questions over the phone (he only answered them as I am active-duty military) Anyway, here were some of the questions and answers from our conversation:
Q: When was it awarded?
A: After the war, late 1945
Q: Where was it awarded?
A: At a reception with Soviet officers at the Headquarters of the 71st Infantry Division, Salzburg, Austria.
Q: How was it awarded?
A: It was given to him with a scroll attached. The scroll was a citation for the award. No case, no order book.
Q: Why was it awarded?
A: For Soviet-US friendship (though his wife mentioned that he had previously taken care of some released Soviet POW's, and believed that was why he had gotten it.)
Q: Did he ever wear the award after the War?
A: Hell no (he wasn't big on medals)
Q: Was there ever any worries about the award during the "Red Scare" of the 1950's.
A: No. No one really even gave it much notice.
I also remember talking to another gentleman who was awarded a Patriotic War 1st Class by the Soviets. It was sent to him in the mail in late 1945, but at the time, the Cold War was starting and he did not feel it right to accept an award from a nation which was quickly becoming the major enemy of the United States. He packed it back up and returned it in the mail.
He did remember that in addition to the award was a stipend for one bottle of vodka per month!
--Dave
Q: When was it awarded?
A: After the war, late 1945
Q: Where was it awarded?
A: At a reception with Soviet officers at the Headquarters of the 71st Infantry Division, Salzburg, Austria.
Q: How was it awarded?
A: It was given to him with a scroll attached. The scroll was a citation for the award. No case, no order book.
Q: Why was it awarded?
A: For Soviet-US friendship (though his wife mentioned that he had previously taken care of some released Soviet POW's, and believed that was why he had gotten it.)
Q: Did he ever wear the award after the War?
A: Hell no (he wasn't big on medals)
Q: Was there ever any worries about the award during the "Red Scare" of the 1950's.
A: No. No one really even gave it much notice.
I also remember talking to another gentleman who was awarded a Patriotic War 1st Class by the Soviets. It was sent to him in the mail in late 1945, but at the time, the Cold War was starting and he did not feel it right to accept an award from a nation which was quickly becoming the major enemy of the United States. He packed it back up and returned it in the mail.
He did remember that in addition to the award was a stipend for one bottle of vodka per month!
--Dave
