The medallion is in silver, measures 48.6 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 36.2 mm in width; weighs 34.4 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Stamped serial number to the reverse in a font standard for its serial number range. The medal comes on the special suspension device with attachments for the chain. The silver chain on the suspension symbolizes the anchor chains; it is a unique feature of the Ushakov Medal that emphasizes

The medallion is in silver, measures 48.6 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 36.2 mm in width; weighs 34.4 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Stamped serial number to the reverse in a font standard for its serial number range. The medal comes on the special suspension device with attachments for the chain. The silver chain on the suspension symbolizes the anchor chains; it is a unique feature of the Ushakov Medal that emphasizes its nature as a purely naval decoration.

Very fine to excellent condition. The bas-relief portrait of Admiral Ushakov has only a tiny amount of wear to the highest points; its raised details as well as details of the wreath and lettering are extremely well preserved and crisp. The medallion has a couple of tiny edge bumps, one on the obverse and one on the reverse, both at approx. 9 o'clock position; neither of them is easily noticeable or very detractive. The medallion is nearly pristine otherwise.

The suspension device in two layers of steel is original and complete, with both chain loops and all the links of the chain present and intact. The ribbon is new. The silver connecting link appears to be original to the medal, and its ends are still joined with solder.

Georgiy Melnikov was born in 1919 and joined the Soviet Navy in 1940. He was soon appointed as a rangefinder operator to the Cruiser Maxim Gorky, one of the newest warships in the Soviet Baltic Fleet commissioned in December 1940, just half a year before the German invasion. On 23 June 1943, the second day of the Patriotic War, the ship struck a German mine in the Gulf of Riga and lost its bow. Unlike its escort destroyer Gnevnyi that suffered the same damage, Maksim Gorky managed to remain afloat and was towed to Kronstadt for repairs. In the following months, it remained marooned near blockaded Leningrad where it was repeatedly a target of German air strikes and artillery barrages. During its ordeal, the ship was directly hit by at least one aerial bomb and one artillery shell, and received damage from well over a hundred near misses in total. It nevertheless remained operational throughout the siege of Leningrad and although stationary, often engaged in artillery duels with German and Finnish batteries. Eventually, the cruiser got repaired and took part in the final operations against Finland by supporting the Soviet ground troops in the Karelian offensive of 1944. According to the subsequent award recommendation, Sr. Sailor Melnikov showed diligence and excellent skills as a crewman of the Gorky. The initial part of his combat service aboard the cruiser was short: on 17 September 1941, he was seriously wounded in the spine by a shell fragment. After recovering from his wound, Melnikov was temporarily reappointed to the 101st Naval Rifle Brigade and in August 1942 returned to the Maksim Gorky. He remained on active duty with the ship through the end of the war, at which point he was recommended for the Ushakov Medal by the commander of the ship, Capt. 1st cl. Vanifatyev. Based on available archival records, this medal was Melnikov's only high decoration of the war.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award commendation.
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