Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of the Soviet Order of the Red Star. The enamel work is still completely intact and all details are still crisp making this a wonderful offering! The Order of the Red Star was a military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 April 1930 but its statute was only defined in decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 5 May 1930. That statute was amended by decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 7 May 1936, of 19 June 1943, of 26 February 1946, of 15 October 1947, of 16 December 1947 and by decree No 1803-X of 28 March 1980.

The award came to us with a printed out piece of paper from the previous owner with the name of the soldier in the records found at Warrelics.eu. The Red Star has a serial number of 341210 and was awarded during the second half of 1943 which corresponds to the date on the document copies we uncovered. The Star was awarded to Senior Sergeant Vitaly Dmitrievich Shchetinin, Anti-Tank Battery, 441st Rifle Regiment, 116th Rifle Division for actions conducted during the Belgorod–Kharkov offensive operation during which he was lightly wounded. During the campaign he eliminated countless enemy soldiers and machine gun emplacements. He was previously awarded the Medal For Courage in July 1943 and for the Defense of Stalingrad in December 1942, meaning he was a hardened Stalingrad veteran already at this point.

Prior to the Kharkov Offensive, Dmitrievich served on the Western Front, Don Front and the Steppe Front. During the battle for the village of Tsemenovna, Dergachevsky Ramon, Kharkov region on August 18, 1943, realizing that two German firing points did not allow the battalion to move forward, he positioned his Anti-Tank gun for direct fire and destroyed these points with several well-aimed shots. After which the infantry quickly rushed forward, knocking the Germans out of their positions and occupied the line.

On August 5, 1943, during a battle in the village of Bolkhovets, Belgorod district, Kharkov region, from his gun with direct fire he destroyed the enemy's heavy machine guns, which was leading destructive fire on the advancing units. The destruction of the heavy machine guns made it possible for the unit to occupy enemy fortifications with minimal losses. In addition, he also destroyed a mortar, three light machine guns and up to 20 German soldiers.

All of this information was found on the link posted above. The documents in the photo section are copies and not included as they were found digitally. This is a wonderful candidate for research.

The overall condition of the award is quite nice and is presented with minimal cracking in the red enamel.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

The Order of the Red Star is a red enameled 47mm to 50mm wide (depending on the variant) silver five pointed star. In the center of the obverse, an oxidized silver shield bearing the image of an erect soldier wearing an overcoat and carrying a rifle, along the shield's entire circumference, a narrow band bearing the Communist motto in relief, "Workers of the world, unite!", the band below the soldier bore the relief inscription "CCCP". Below the shield, the hammer and sickle also of oxidized silver. The otherwise plain reverse bore the maker's mark and the award serial number. The Order was attached to clothing by a threaded stud and screw attachment.

The Order of the Red Star was a military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 April 1930. The Order of the Red Star was awarded to soldiers of the Soviet Army, Navy, border and internal security forces, employees of the State Security Committee of the USSR, as well as NCOs and officers of the bodies of internal affairs; to units, warships, associations, enterprises, institutions and organizations; as well as to military personnel of foreign countries:

- for personal courage and bravery in battle, for the excellent organization and leadership in combat that contributed to the success of our troops;
- for successful operations of military units and formations which resulted in the enemy suffering considerable casualties or damage;
- for outstanding service in ensuring public safety and the security of the State Border of the USSR;
- for courage and valor displayed during the performance of military duties, or, in circumstances involving a risk to life;
- for exemplary performance of special command tasks and other outstanding deeds committed in peacetime;
- for great contribution in maintaining the high combat readiness of troops, excellent performance in combat and political training, in the mastery of new combat equipment and other services associated with strengthening the defensive might of the USSR;
- for merit in the development of military science and technologies used in training of the Armed Forces of the USSR;
- for merit in strengthening the defense capabilities of the socialist community.

The Order of the Red Star is worn on the right side of the chest and when in the presence of other orders of the USSR, placed immediately after the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class. If worn in the presence of Orders or medals of the Russian Federation, the latter have precedence.