Silver, enamels; measures 49.2 mm in height incl. eyelet, 47.2 mm wide; weighs 23.3 g not including the suspension and connecting link. This sub-variation features the Kremlin tower clock with a "smooth" face, without hour and minute hands or numerals. According to Mondvor.narod.ru, most specimens of this version are in the approximate serial number range of 130000 - 340000; this particular piece is near the higher end of the range.

In excellent condition, outstanding for a wartime issue. The red enamel on the scroll and star has only tiny scratches that are practically unnoticeable to the naked eye, no chips or significant flaking. The center medallion and arms are free of significant wear; the raised details of the tower and wreath are extremely well-preserved and crisp, nearly pristine. There is a very attractive even patina on both sides of the medallion.

Comes on an original WW2 era suspension device, a two-layer model in steel with a self-locking pin. The perfectly clean is relatively recent but does show age and use. The connecting link has been cut but appears to be of the period. Overall, a superb example of a wartime Order of Glory.

Vasily Kashchuk was born in 1924 in a settlement in Khmelnitsky Region in Western Ukraine where he completed a high school. He was drafted into the Red Army in March 1944 and was at the front starting from the following month. By 1945, he had been promoted to sergeant.

In early March 1945, Kashchuk's regiment was engaged in fighting near Lake Velence in Hungary, part of the Soviet Lake Balaton Defensive Operation that defeated the last large-scale German offensive of the war. On 8 March 1945, during a fierce battle at the hamlet of Csillag near Lake Velence, Sergeant Kashchuk, disregarding heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, maintained telephone lines in working condition. He thus greatly helped his command in controlling the battle. He was wounded in this action but continued to repair communication lines until the fighting was over. For his bravery and selflessness, Sgt. Kashchuk was recommended for the Order of Glory 3rd cl., which was awarded to him on 24 March 1945.

His other wartime decorations were two Medals for Valor. He was recommended for the first one for seizing the enemy defense position and killing 3 German soldiers in fighting to the northwest of Budapest on 11 December 1944. Kashchuk received the actual medal many years later, probably in 1975 judging by the date of the award record card compiled by the military commissariat at his place of residence. At the time, many wartime awards were "catching up" with their winners based on archival research on occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Victory and Leonid Brezhnev's emphasis on the Great Patriotic War. At that time, the medals were issued unnumbered.

Kashchuk was awarded with his second Medal for Valor (#2480411) on 2 May 1945, the last day of the Battle of Berlin. The award commendation states that on 16-17 April 1945, during the fighting for possession of a hill southwest of the town of Vorau, Austria (located between Vienna and Gratz), Kashchuk repeatedly repaired and maintained telephone lines under heavy enemy fire, facilitating communication between his regiment commander and one of the battalions.

Archival Research: photocopy and full English translation (by a third party) of the award record card and award commendations / relevant parts of the award decree for the Order of Glory and two Medals for Valor.