On May 20, an EWCS dedicated to Semyon Gretsov, a junior sergeant of the medical service and a Cavalier of six For Bravery medals was putinto postal circulation in the On the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945 series

Semyon Gretsov (1908-1975) was a Soviet service member, a participant of the Great Patriotic War, a sanitary instructor, the only one awarded six medals For Bravery, a junior sergeant of medical service.

He was born on March 10 of 1908 in the village of Nizhnedorozhnoye, Yastrebovsky District (presently Gorshechensky District) of the Kursk Region. He was at the front since July of 1941. He began his battle route as a private of the 115th artillery regiment. After a concussion, Semyon Gretsov was about to be invalided out, but at his own insistence he was transferred to the position of a sanitary instructor, where he served until the end of the Great Patriotic War. During the bloody battles, Semyon Gretsov at the risk of his own life bandaged and carried off wounded soldiers and commanders with their personal weapons from the battlefield while participating in the repulsion of enemy attacks with personal small arms. For bravery and courage manifested in the service, he was awarded six For Bravery medals. Besides, he was awarded medals For the Capture of Berlin, For the Victory over Germany, and For Labor Valor.

The envelope with a commemorative stamp provides a portrait of Semyon Gretsov against the backdrop of an illustration of his military feat.

In addition to the issue of the envelope with a commemorative stamp, JSC Marka produced special cancels for Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kursk, and Stary Oskol in the Belgorod Region.


Design Artists: A. Moskovets and V. Khablovsky.
Quantity: 500 thousand envelopes.

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