Award Document for a Medal for the Defense of Sevastopol,
issued on 18 October 1943 to Seaman Aleksandr Bereznev.
Note the uncommonly early issue date: most defensive
campaign document s were awarded in 1944 or later. The
document is hand-signed by Captain Belyakov, Commander of
the 386th Separate Naval Infantry Battalion (OBMP),
Novorossiysk Naval Base (NVMB), Black Sea Fleet. The round
unit stamp is of the Anapa Defense Sector, Novorossiysk
Naval Base, Black See Fleet, USSR Narkomat of the Navy. It
is interesting to note that Anapa, a port city north of
Novorossiysk, was overrun by Romanian troops in as early as
August 1942. It was only liberated on 22 September 1943
during the Soviet offensive that finally broke through
German "Blue Line" on the Taman Peninsula - less than a
month before the document was issued.
The document is in good condition. It has been folded for
storage as was customary and has developed the usual
separations along the fold lines. These were repaired with
backing tape to the verso. There are a couple of very small
holes in the upper left corner, possibly from staples. The
document is otherwise intact, free of significant wear to
the edges or stains. The written text and stamp are clear
and completely legible
Based on available archival information, soon after
receiving the Sevastopol Medal, Seaman Bereznev took part
in the famous Eltigen naval assault in Crimea. The landing
which took place in the early days of November 1943 was
only partly successful and the small Soviet beachhead was
soon isolated by numerically superior enemy forces. With
the remaining survivors of the initial assault, Bereznev
broke out to the city of Kerch where he took part in
desperate street battles. He was wounded in this action but
according to the subsequent award commendation, showed
"exceptional tenacity" by continuing to fight; he was only
evacuated later that night at the direct orders of his
commander. On 15 January, immediately after the end of the
operation, he was recommended for a Medal for Valor by his
battalion commander Hero of the Soviet Union Major
Belyakov, and this recommendation was later personally
approved by the Commander of the Novorossiysk Naval Base
Counter Admiral Kholostyakov.
This very uncommon Sevastopol document to a heroic Soviet
naval infantryman comes with the photocopy of the award
commendation for his Medal for Valor and of the relevant
pages of the 19 March 1944 award decree for the Medal for
Valor (both from the Russian military archives).
Item# 31585
$250.00 