Silver gilt, enamel; measures 49.1 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 47.0 mm in width; weighs 23.3 g not incl. suspension and connecting link. Variation featuring a "smooth" clock face lacking the numerals and hands. This is one of the more scarce versions of the order with the currently known serial number range of 15634 through 24687 (according to Mondvor.narod.ru).

In excellent condition. The original gold plating is pale but still clearly visible on the background of the center medallion and the Kremlin wall. The center medallion has only some minuscule contact marks and sho

Silver gilt, enamel; measures 49.1 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 47.0 mm in width; weighs 23.3 g not incl. suspension and connecting link. Variation featuring a "smooth" clock face lacking the numerals and hands. This is one of the more scarce versions of the order with the currently known serial number range of 15634 through 24687 (according to Mondvor.narod.ru).

In excellent condition. The original gold plating is pale but still clearly visible on the background of the center medallion and the Kremlin wall. The center medallion has only some minuscule contact marks and shows almost no wear to the raised artwork; the high points of the tower - including the clock - and wreath are exceptionally well-preserved and crisp. The red enamel on both the plaque and star is essentially perfect and shows a beautiful luster; there are only a couple of microscopic contact marks invisible to the naked eye. There is an attractive patina to silver on both sides.

Comes on an early post-war suspension device, a single-layer model in brass. The ribbon is old, possibly of the period, but perfectly clean and sound. The connecting link appears to be original; its ends are still joined with solder.

Born in 1918, Boris Gorbunov joined the Red Army in July 1944 in the Mogilev Region (he was probably drafted immediately upon the liberation of the area where he lived by the Red Army during the Bagration Offensive in Belorussia). By the year's end, he had earned his first decoration while serving as a reconnaissance man with the 609th Rifle Regiment, 139th Rifle Division, 49th Army. During the night of 3-4 December, Private Gorbunov took part in a raid behind the German lines in the area of Białystok at the old Polish-Soviet border, in a vicinity of a border marker leftover from before the 1939 partitioning of Poland by Nazi Germany and the USSR. Gorbunov was in command of a group of scouts providing fire support to another group tasked with capturing a prisoner and in particular, covering the crossing of the Narev River. While the assault group was returning after completing its assignment, it came under fire from a light machine gun. Gorbunov promptly tossed a hand grenade silencing the German machine gun nest and thus allowing the "capture" group to escape without losses and bring home a prisoner. On 24 December 1944, Gorbunov was awarded for this action with the Order of Glory 3rd cl. (#223665) by a general order for the 139th Rifle Division.

In January - February 1945, Gorbunov's division participated in the East Prussian and East Pomeranian offensives of the 2nd Belorussian Front. During this period, Gorbunov on a number of occasions took part in recon raids behind the German lines and obtained valuable information about enemy positions. He particularly distinguished himself in the Jan. 19-22 battles near the town of Czersk (southeast of Danzig), where he operated as a part of a recon group ahead of the advancing regular infantry. Within four days of fighting, Gorbunov personally eliminated up to 30 enemy soldiers and captured six prisoners, including an officer.

On 15 March, Gorbunov was recommended for the second Order of Glory by his regiment commander. The award was officially bestowed upon him on 29 April 1945 by a general order for the 49th Army. After his discharge from the military, Gorbunov settled in the city of Ufa in Bashkirostan region of Russia. As of January 1946, the two Orders of Glory remained his only WW2 decorations.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award record card and award commendations for both Orders of Glory. Detailed information about the 139th Rifle Division is available in Vol. IX Red Tide of the "Soviet Order of Battle in World War II" book series by Charles Sharp.
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