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

[Esteban_cool]

Gentlemen:
If you note on the first pic(edited by mcwirsk) at the right side of the american award there is a star medal. I have seen it on Marshal Zhukov´s inventory and it´s a kind of HSL(it has a kinda hammer and sickle on the middle).Which country awarded it?


Esteban

[mcwirsk]

Dear Esteban

Its a American Bronze star. (BS) This is one of the medals that we have been discussing in this thread.

Its awarded for merit or bravery. This one would have been awarded for merit.

Kind regards

Munroe

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

We're talking two different things here. Munroe's man is in fact wearing the American Bronze Star Medal (BSM). We've confirmed this through War Department General Orders.
While admittedly the picture Esteban posted is not the best, it is clearly not the American BSM. While at first glance it may look similar in appearance, we know that MSU Zhukov was never awarded an American BSM. To have done so, would have been a real military protocol slight. MSU Zhukov received the American Legion of Merit in the degree of Chief Commander - a decoration clearly befitting his rank, status and contributions during the war.
In my opinion, Esteban's picture resembles the Italian government's military Hero medal which was awarded to several Red Army personnel during World War II. Hope this helps.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[slava1stclass]

The following U.S. Army decorations were awarded to Red Army personnel for heroism or meritorious service in World War II:


Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) - 53

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) - 20

Silver Star (SS) - 119

Legion of Merit (LM) - 321

By degree:

- Chief Commander - 7*

- Commander - 35

- Officer - 85

- Legionnaire - 194

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) - 46

Bronze Star Medal (BSM) - 40**

Air Medal (AM) - 8

Notes:

*Documentation is available to verify the award to MSU Zhukov. Awards of the LM in the degree of Chief Commander to MSUs Govorov, Meretskov, Rokossovskiy, Vasilevskiy as well as General of the Army Eremenko and Chief Marshal of Aviation Novikov, however, are based solely on photographic evidence.

**Information available in an OMSA publication suggests that the number of BSMs awarded to Red Army personnel was higher. This is likely true since many BSMs were awarded at the U.S. Army corps level and below. The number above reflects only those BSMs to Red Army personnel authorized by War Department General Orders.

I came across no hard evidence to confirm that either the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) or Soldiers Medal (SM) was awarded to Red Army personnel. This same OMSA publication, however, indicates that three DFCs and one OLC to the DFC as well as one SM were awarded.

Update as of 28 NOV 10 - Thanks to fellow enthusiast Gunner 1 for providing more accurate DFC and AM figures. He has copies of General Orders listing citations for DFCs and AMs that were awarded to Soviet officers in 1944 and 1945. It is unclear whther this is a partial or complete listing.

As with awards of the BSM, it is also likely that the number of LOMs awarded to Red Army personnel may be higher for the reasons cited above.

Should you wish to confirm the award of any one of the above U.S. Army decorations to a specific Red Army soldier, please contact me via private message. I will be happy to check my list and furnish specific information concerning the awarding authority.

The U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal awarded to top Soviet ace Pokryshkin (Triple HSU) is clearly seen in the below photo.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

As promised, a new thread is established under "The Researchers Corner." I hope the information will prove useful.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[Bravo2Zero]

Slava
Thank you for sharing this excellent research with us.
Mike

[DougD]

I took this photo in Moscow in August of 2000 at the State History Museum. They were doing a special display on the 55th Anniv. of the Victory Parade at the end of WWII. He has his US Legion of merit and the award document. These awards were almost never seen on display in regular museums during the cold war. Now its Ok.

DougD

[slava1stclass]

Based on the fact that the uniform is for a Colonel General, that he's a HSU and that it displays very specific orders, I'll be able to identify the wearer. Given that only 35 LOMs in the degree of Commander were awarded to Red Army officers, this will be easy. More to follow...

BTW Doug, your picture of MSU Konev's VP taken at the same time clearly shows his award of the LOM in the degree of Commander. You might consider adding that shot to this thread as another example.

The uniform belonged to Colonel General F. F. Zhmachenko, Commander, 40th Army, 2nd Ukrainian Front.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[Bravo2Zero]

Dear Slava1stClass,
Thanks to Dave I am in the process of re uniting the American Legion of Merit with the HSU group to ZHURBA whose picture was on the web site as posted by Dave.The award came from the Military Mission in Moscow...could you provide me with any details like GO Number etc.His record does not show any involvement with US forces so I presume this is a simple exchange of awards between allies.
Thank you
Mike D

[slava1stclass]

Mike,

Please see my 21 JAN 03 post in this thread for the info you seek.

Regards,

slava1stclass