Measures 3 x 3.5", printed on semi-gloss photo paper. The photo presents a Red Army Guards tanker captain in field uniform wearing the Order of Lenin and Golden Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union, two medals including the Medal for Victory over Germany, and the guards badge. The archival entry on the verso bears the seal of the Dzerzhinsky District Military Commissariat, Leningrad, and is dated 15 May 1949.

In very good to excellent condition. There are a couple of contact points and small scuffs on the photo but they become visible only when tilting the photo to reflect a bright light. The obverse is quite clean; the verso has dried glue along the edges but it is transparent, so the handwritten entries and seals are unaffected and are clear and legible.

Mikhail Larchenko earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his actions during the Winter War with Finland in 1939-40. On 13 December 1939, during a reconnaissance mission in the Karelian Isthmus, his tank was hit, Larchenko was wounded but continued with the mission and completed it. During the Patriotic War, he was commander of a tank company, then taught in a tanker school. Was awarded with the Order of the Patriotic War 1st cl. #2605540.

Research Materials: copy of the article about Larchenko in the catalog Heroes of the Soviet Union (contains his photo).

Please note that the penny in our photo is for size reference.