The picture above is one in a series of photos in the Washington Post as a tribute to Jewish veterans who mostly fought against the Nazis for the Soviet Union. The caption for this photo reads;
Matvey Gershman, 90, of Ashkelon, Israel, joined the Red Army’s air force in 1941. He was later transferred to the 5th Shock Army and fought mostly in Ukraine, after which he joined the 8th Guard Army and took part in the Battle of Berlin, including the famous fight for the Reichstag.
Oded Balilty / AP
The Soviets weren’t shy handing out bling, and these guys have it.
bet they all have back problems hauling all that weight all the time
They have back problems from hauling those giant brass testicles all the time.
@#2 You got that right brother!!!
well, not as outlandish as those Nork Generals that have medals going down to the bottom of their jackets and even onto their pants. despite the numbers of medals the Soviet Union liked to give out, any man that took on the Germans in Russia probably deserves more.
The North Koreans to love their bling don’t they!
Hardcore.
I bet it would quite an experience to speak with this man.
Can’t see his bling around his giant steel balls.
The medals are part of his weight-bearing exercise to keep his bones strong in his elder years. Chutzpah!
Seeing as how they are all full-sized medals, it doesn’t look like he has more than a typical lifer in today’s military. You know, the guys with balls of steel (as FMR PAO puts it).
I’m counting at least fifteen on his left and it looks about the same on the right. Thirty awards for the toughest fighting that Russia saw in WWII? That is damn good.
They probably get medals for taking shits.
The Soviets were good about recognizing service, they even awarded Medals to civilians for farming, engineering, factory work,having a large number of kids and donating blood. Anytime a unit had a successful offensive or defensive operation the staff were eligible to receive a medal. The successful defense of, or liberation of a specific large city was grounds for everyone to be awarded a medal. Medals were given out for attending anniversary Parades. Then you had medals for bravery and service length.
and what did stalin give as a reward for helping out mother russia…. a nice little purge to eastern siberia
Yes, Stalin’s reward for many who returned from the war to Mother Russia was indeed a bitter one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_ZG6tRGMYk
I personally find the photo montage bit heavy-handed, but Stewart’s tune more than makes up for that.
I have as much respect as the next person for an HONORABLE soldier, but I also think of the millions murdered by the Soviets back in the day, not to mention the rapes inflicted on civilian women, including concentration camp inmates as they moved West.
The Soviet army did not issue socks. They used long ace bandage like wraps for their feet. Easier to make I guess. One size fits all.
Herbert J Messkit-I remember a film they showed us in boot camp of a day in the life of a Soviet troop and in the film they wrapped their feet with those.
I hope someone records this man’s story.
Not to many Jews of “rank and note” fighting for the Russians back in the day.
Fucking Hardcore.
Tough.
90 years old and I wouldn’t mess with him. He looks like his glare could break bones.