Measures 3 ¼" x 4 ¾", printed on cardboard glossy photo paper. The photo presents a Red Army tanker lieutenant in dress uniform wearing the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin that was issued with it, an Order of the Red Star, medals including the Medal for Combat Valor and Medal for Victory over Germany, and the Excellent Machine Gunner badge. The archival entry on the verso is not dated, but his entry in the Heroes of the Soviet Union catalog states that Solodov, originally a machine gunner, graduated the Saratov Tank School in 1947.

In excellent condition. Minuscule scuffs and a couple of contact points to the emulsion are visible only when tilting the photo to reflect a bright light. The image is in sharp focus, providing a great opportunity to take a close look at the decorations, insignia, and uniform. The verso is quite clean, the archival entry and seal are crisp and perfectly legible.

Yefim Soldov earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union at the very beginning of the Bagration offensive during the battle for liberation of the Volyn Region in Ukraine. On 21 June 1944, he stealthily crossed the Turya river near the village of Blazhenik, suppressed an enemy pillbox with grenade fire, occupied it, and for the next five days repelled over ten German attacks, killing a large number of enemy soldiers and providing the Soviet troops an opportunity for successful forced crossing of the river.

After the war, Solodov graduated from the Saratov Tank School in 1947, the Military Armored Forces Academy in 1967, and retired in 1975 in the rank of colonel. He lived in Saratov, and died in 1991.

Research Materials: copy of the article about Solodov in the catalog Heroes of the Soviet Union (contains his photo); copy of the award commendation for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

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