The Order of Sukhbaatar, awarded to Hero of the Soviet Union N.S. Zaitsev

The rarest award on our market is in excellent condition. The original case and the award book are included. Gold, platinum, silver, enamel. The order is a convex, polished gold five-pointed star, between the ends of which are silver flat pointed rays of different sizes, covered with blue enamel. In the center of the Order's star there is a platinum relief image of Sukhbaatar on the background of a circle covered with gray enamel and surrounded by a golden wreath. Above the portrait, a red enamel revolutionary banner with magnificent tassels and the inscription "SUKHBAATAR" flies to the right, and a red enamel star is depicted below it. The reverse side of the order is smooth, slightly concave. In the center of it is soldered a threaded pin with a nut for attaching the order to clothing. The award number is 661 on the reverse. The order with this number was awarded to Nikolai Sergeyevich Zaitsev (1911-1971)— a colonel in the Guards of the Soviet Army, a participant in World War II, Hero of the Soviet Union (1945).

Nikolai Zaitsev was born on December 6, 1911 in Samara. He graduated from an incomplete secondary school. In 1929, Zaitsev was drafted into the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. In 1932, he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of pilots. Participated in the battles on the Khalkhin Gol River, flew 30 combat missions. Since June 1941, he served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War.

By April 1945, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Zaitsev commanded the 80th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (1st Guards Bomber Aviation Division, 6th Guards Bomber Aviation Corps, 2nd Air Army, 1st Ukrainian Front). By that time, he had flown 111 combat missions, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy in manpower and military equipment.

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 27, 1945, Guard Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Zaitsev was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

After the end of the war, Zaitsev continued his service in The Soviet Army. In 1948, he graduated from the Higher Officer Flight and Tactical Courses. In 1958, with the rank of colonel, Zaitsev was discharged into the reserve. He lived in Leningrad and worked at Pulkovo airport. He died on November 2, 1971.

He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, the Orders of Suvorov, 3rd degree, Alexander Nevsky, the Red Star, and a number of medals.

Guarantee of authenticity.

The Order of Sukhbaatar (mong. Sukhbaataryn odon) is the highest (until 1992) state award of Mongolia. The Order was established on May 16, 1941 in honor of the leader of the Mongolian liberation movement and the People's Revolution of 1921, Damdin Sukhbaatar, as an analogue of the Soviet Order of Lenin. In 1992, the Order of the Polar Star replaced the Sukhbaatar Order in the second place in the award system of Mongolia.

The Order of Sukhbaatar is awarded to both individuals and entire collectives — institutions, enterprises, and military units. The award is given for outstanding achievements in strengthening the independence of the country, in economic and cultural construction, as well as for dedication, courage and bravery. The award is made by the Small Hural of the Mongolian People's Republic, and together with the award, the recipient is presented with a medal book, in which a photograph of the recipient is pasted, his name and surname, the number of the order are recorded, and the merit for which the person was awarded this high distinction is indicated.

The Order of Sukhbaatar is worn on the left side of the chest. If the recipient has other orders and awards of Mongolia, the latter are placed on the chest after him. The Sukhbaatar Order is awarded to those citizens of Mongolia who have been awarded the honorary title of "Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic" for outstanding feats.