Top Military Orders
Hungary. Order of Merit Set awarded to Soviet Marshal F.I. Tolbukhin. Hungary. Order of Merit Set awarded to Soviet Marshal F.I. Tolbukhin. Gilt and enamels. Cross. 42 mm. “1949” diestruck on back. On ribbon. Star. 65.5 mm. “949” engraved on back; and Ribbon Badge. W.680-681. In original case of issue. With Award Certificate dated Budapest, May 1, 1950, to (posthumously) Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin for his role in liberating Hungary from the Germans. Very rare and important.
During World War II, Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin (1894-1949) served as Chief of Staff for the Crimean Front, 1941-1942, Assistant Commander of the Stalingrad Military District, Commander of the 58th
Army, Commander of the Southern Front and Commander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. On September 12, 1944 he was promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union. Widely respected by both his fellow commanders and his men, Tolbukhin is considered one the finest Soviet generals of World War II. Under his command, Bucharest, Sofia and Belgrade were liberated, while he took part in the liberation of Hungary and Austria. Decorated many times for bravery, Tolbukhin was the recipient of the Victory Order and Hero of the Soviet Union. After the war, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Group of Forces, which comprised the Balkan region. From January 1947 to his death, Tolbukhin was the commander of the Transcaucasus Military District.
Condition: Choice