The document measures 14.5 x 21 cm (approx. 5¾" x 8¼ "). Hand-signed by Maj. General Kirsanov, Commander of the 76th Guards Rifle Division, and shows an ink stamp of the unit.

The certificate is in very good condition. It has been folded in four for storage as was customary, has developed separations along the folds and has been repaired by applying what looks like a bandage gauze on the verso to keep it from falling apart. The document is otherwise free of significant damage of any kind such as tears, clips, stains or soiling. It shows only the normal age toning; the print

The document measures 14.5 x 21 cm (approx. 5¾" x 8¼ "). Hand-signed by Maj. General Kirsanov, Commander of the 76th Guards Rifle Division, and shows an ink stamp of the unit.

The certificate is in very good condition. It has been folded in four for storage as was customary, has developed separations along the folds and has been repaired by applying what looks like a bandage gauze on the verso to keep it from falling apart. The document is otherwise free of significant damage of any kind such as tears, clips, stains or soiling. It shows only the normal age toning; the printed text and hand-written entries are fully legible.

According to the information found in the Russian military archives, Valentina Danilchenko, the recipient of the certificate, was an ethnic Ukrainian born in a village of the Saki Region, Crimea, in 1921. Prior to the Patriotic War, she lived in the city of Yevpatoria where she joined the Red Army literally on the second day of the war on 23 June 1941, most likely as a volunteer. Danilchenko served at the front starting from October 1941, initially in Crimea and in January 1942, participated in the Soviet amphibious assault at Feodosiya. Later that year, she took part in some of the earliest actions of the Battle of Stalingrad, serving as a senior nurse with the medical platoon of the 157th Rifle Division, at the time a part of the 64th Army, Stalingrad Front. During the defensive actions on the Tsymla River Danilchenko received a bullet wound in her left leg but remained on active duty with her unit. In early December, she was recommended for the Medal for Combat Service for her diligent and careful care for the wounded. The award was bestowed on her on 6 December 1942 - much earlier than the majority of decorations issued specifically for the Battle of Stalingrad.

Danilchenko's division greatly distinguished itself at Stalingrad and was soon elevated to a Guards unit, becoming the 76th Guards Rifle Division. She was still serving with this unit a year later, when she received the Defense of Stalingrad Medal and certificate. At the time, she had the rank of Medical Corps lieutenant and was a senior nurse of the surgery department of the 76th Guards Division's Medical Battalion.

Research Materials: photocopy of Valentina Danilchenko's award commendation for the Medal for Combat Service and the relevant page of her unit's Stalingrad Medal recipient roll from the Russian Military Archives. Detailed history of the 157th Rifle Division is available in Vol. VIII Red Legions of Charles Sharp's book series Soviet Order of Battle, World War II.
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