The medallion is in silver and lacquer, 32.1 mm wide, weighs 21.2 g without the suspension and connecting link. The medallion is in very fine to excellent condition. The raised details of the artwork and lettering are well-preserved and crisp. There are some tiny dings throughout and a single minuscule, barely noticeable bump to the edge at approx. 4 o'clock, but no significant wear or damage. The original red lacquer in the letters shows surface wear but is overall intact and free of chips - which is uncommon for an early issue. As is often the case, the Type 1 suspension has been discarded, most likely by the original owner to comply with post-1943 regulations, and replaced with an early post-war suspension in brass. The ribbon is old but nicely preserved and attractive. The connecting link appears to be of the period.

Born in 1924 in a village of the Moscow Region, Georgiy Stepanov enlisted in the Red Army in March 1942, immediately after reaching the conscription age of 18. He was immediately sent to the front and a year later, was serving as a horse-mounted dispatch runner in the 338th Rifle Division, at the time a part of the 33rd Army, Western Front. Despite his young age, Stepanov excelled in his role of a messenger. Using only the map and not always knowing the exact location of the units, he nevertheless always managed to complete his assignments. He especially distinguished himself during the Soviet offensive on the heels of the German withdrawal from the Rzhev salient (German Operation Bueffel). On 15 March 1943, he forded the Ugra River, still packed with floating ice, and despite being completely soaked, managed to deliver a message to the HQ of the army. On another occasion on 28 March 1943, he under enemy fire delivered a particularly urgent message to the command post of one of the division's regiments and thus made possible for the regiment to fulfil its task. On 13 April 1943, Private Stepanov was recommended for the Medal for Combat Service by his signal company commander. The award was bestowed six days later by a general order of the 338th Rifle Division.

In February 1943, Stepanov was wounded in combat but remained on active duty. He was retrained as a tanker and as of the summer of 1944, had the rank of Guards Sergeant, serving with the 348th Guards Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment of the Supreme Command Reserves, at the time assigned to the 11th Guards Army. In his capacity as the commander of an ISU-122, a heavy "Iosif Stalin" self-propelled gun specially designed as a tank killer, Stepanov showed skills and bravery in the opening phase of the June 1944 Bagration Offensive. While breaking through an enemy defensive line in Smolensk region, his assault gun wiped out 3 enemy weapon nests, demolished 5 pillboxes (4 of them of concrete construction) and neutralized 2 mortar batteries. Although suffering from a blast injury, Stepanov continued on with his mission until the end of the battle. For this feat, he was awarded on 30 June 1944 with an Order of the Red Star, his final decoration of the war.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award record card and commendations for both decorations. Detailed information about the 338th Rifle Division can be found in the Vol. X Red Swarm of Charle's Sharps Soviet Order of Battle in WWII book series.