Russia, Soviet Union. An Order Of Glory, Iii Class

(Орден Славы). Instituted in 1943. In silver with red enamels, number engraved "221629" on the reverse, measuring 47 mm (w) x 49.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, contact marks, original ribbon, mounted to a five-sided brass suspension with pinback, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Glory was established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on November 8, 1943. It was awarded to soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the Red Army, as well as to aviation junior lieutenants, for bravery in the face of the enemy, in three grades. While the overwhelming majority of all Order of Glory awards was for combat valour in the Second World War (or the Great Patriotic War as it is known across the countries of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), there are documented instances of awards of the order's lowest class - its third class - for post-war Soviet military operations. Numbering among these were Order of Glory III Class awards authorized for Soviet operations in support of the Korean War from 1950-1953, as well as for the Soviet military intervention in Hungary in the fall of 1956. A small number of Order of Glory III Class awards were also made in connection with armed border clashes with the People's Republic of China in 1969. The order became defunct with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In 1992, the Cross of St. George was revived to serve the same purpose of recognizing enlisted personnel bravery.