Silver and enamels. Type 2. Serial number: 8172. Excellent Condition. Goldplating. Comes with scans of research.
http://soviet-aces-1936-53.ru/abc/m/mankevich.htm
Mankevich Viktor Mikhailovich
Born April 10, 1918 in Smolensk. In 1935 he graduated from 10th grade. Worked as a driver in the Smolensk House of the Red Army. Graduated from the Smolensk Aeroclub. From May 15, 1938 in the ranks of the Red Army, until December 1938 he served in the tank troops. In 1939 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots, until May 1941 he worked there as a pilot instructor. In December 1941 he graduated from the Konotop Military Aviation School of Pilots and remained there as a pilot instructor.
Since May 1943, Lieutenant V. M. Mankevich in the active army. He fought as part of the 163rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (held the positions of deputy squadron commander, squadron commander, and regiment navigator). He fought on the Kalinin, Central, 1st Belorussian, 2nd Baltic, 3rd Baltic, and Leningrad Fronts. He took part in the Battle of Kursk, the liberation of Belarus, Poland, and the Baltics, and the blockade of the enemy’s Courland group. He flew the Yak-7 and Yak-9.
By February 1945, the navigator of the 163rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (336th Fighter Aviation Division, 15th Air Army, 2nd Baltic Front) Major V. M. Mankevich had flown 182 combat sorties, fought in 45 air battles, and personally shot down 18 enemy aircraft (the award sheet states 17 personal victories). For these exploits he was nominated for the country’s highest award.
By May 9, 1945, he had completed about 190 combat sorties, fought about 50 air battles, and the number of victories remained unchanged. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 18, 1945, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (No. 8584).
After the war, he continued to serve in the Air Force (Baltic, Far Eastern and Kiev military districts). In 1954-1959, he worked as a test pilot for military acceptance at Aviation Plant No. 272 (Leningrad). He tested Yak-11 and Yak-12 aircraft, and Yak-24 helicopters. From November 27, 1959, Lieutenant Colonel V. M. Mankevich was in the reserve. He lived in the city of Kharkov (Ukraine). He died on September 17, 2007 and was buried at Cemetery No. 2.
He was awarded the Order of Lenin (August 18, 1945), the Order of the Red Banner (July 27, 1943, April 14, 1944, May 1, 1944, July 6, 1944), the Order of Alexander Nevsky (September 9, 1944), the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class (March 11, 1985), the Order of the Red Star (April 20, 1953); medals, including “For Military Merit” (June 20, 1949).
