Vasily Grigoryevich Zaytsev
Vasily Grigoryevich Zaytsev (1915-1991) was a Soviet sniper during WW II. During the Battle of Stalingrad, made famous by the 2001 film, Enemy at the Gates, he killed an estimated 400 officers and soldiers of the German Wehrmacht, including 11 enemy snipers. Included among those 11 snipers may have been two of Germany's greatest snipers, Erwin Konig and Heinz Thorvald.
Initially enlisted in the Soviet Navy in Vladivostok as a Chief Petty Officer during the German invasion, he volunteered for front line duty with the Soviet Army as a Warrant Officer. Assigned to the 1047th Rifle Regiment of the 248th Rifle Division, he found himself at Stalingrad during September 1942. His weapon of choice was a Mosin Nagant 91/30 with a 4X PEM scope. After Stalingrad, he was issued a Mosin Nagant 91/30 with a PU 3.5X scope.
He was injured by a mortar round during January 1943. The next month, he was honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union. He later returned to combat in Germany with the rank of Captain.
His awards include: Hero of the Soviet Union, four Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Badge of Honor, the Medal for Courage, the Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad, and the Medal for Victory of Germany. Additional awards included the Jubilee Medal for the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Lenin, the Jubilee Medals for the 20th, 30th, and 40th Year of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the Jubilee Medals for the 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 70th Anniversary of the Armed Forces.
Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of Lenin (4), Order of the Red Banner (2), and Order of the Badge of Honor
Medals for Courage, Defense of Leningrad, and Victory Over Germany
100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birth
Jubilee Medals for 20, 30, 40 Year Anniversaries of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
30th, 40th, and 50th Anniversary of the Armed Forces Medal
60th and 70th Anniversary of the Armed Forces Medal
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