Kovalev, Grigorij Mihailovich, Telephonist/Cook, 172nd Guards Artillery Regiment

[Bill Garvy]

Order Book (#645587) issued on February 15th, 1946 for Bravery Medals #2337182 (missing) & #2337114, December 1st, 1944.

[Bill Garvy]

Unit Award Order

[trans: stamped “1st Belorussian Front” and other administrative data]

172nd Guards Artillery Regiment, 79th Guards Zaporozhe Red Banner Orders of Suvorov II Class and Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division Order 033/N dated 4.11.1944

On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations:

Bravery Medal to:

2. Telephone Operator Guards Private Grigorii Mikhailovich Kovalev. In fighting on the bridgehead near Hill 125.7 on 8.10.44 Comrade Kovalev was continuously situation throughout the entire engagement on the lead observation post and continuously provided the battery commander communications with the battery. Communications were severed due to heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire however risking his life, Comrade Kovalev repaired ten line breaks thus supporting the battery’s continuous fire.
b.1905, Russian, non-Party member, Patriotic War participant since October, 1943, inducted by Polevii Regional Military Commissariat (Zaporozhe Oblast). Home of record: [trans: intentionally obscured]

Signed Commander, 172nd Guards Red Banner Artillery Regiment, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Khololov on 5th November, 1944

[Bill Garvy]

Unit Award Order

SECRET

172nd Guards Red Banner Artillery Regiment, 79th Guards Zaporozhe Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division Order 049/N dated 18th May, 1945

On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations:

Bravery Medal to:

21. 2nd Battalion HQ Cook Guards Private Grigorii Mikhailovich Kovalev who, during the offensive operations from the Oder to Berlin provided high-quality, hot food, personally delivering it to the front lines via backpack under rifle and machinegun fire.
b.1905, Russian, non-Party member, Patriotic War participant since10.43, wounded, awarded Bravery Medal. Home of record: [trans: intentionally obscured]

Signed Commander, 172nd Guards Red Banner Artillery Regiment, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Khololov

[Bill Garvy]

Document for the Medal Victory over Germany issued on July 20th, 1946, at Ordzhonikidze Regional Military Commissariat, Captain Litovchenko, Serial Ts0153089.

Document for the Medal Capture of Berlin issued on June 5th, 1949 at Ordzhonikidze Regional Military Commissariat. Colonel Poliakov, Serial #B073695.

Document for the Medal Liberation of Warsaw issued on March 1st, 1947 at Ordzhonikidze Regional Military Commissariat, Captain Litovchenko, Serial #A484426.

[Bill Garvy]

Document for the Medal Restoration of the Black Metallurgy Enterprises of the South issued on August 31st, 1949 by Chairman of the Executive Committee of Zaporizhya County Council, Ponomarenko, Serial #179006.

Document for the Medal Lenin Centennial, labor, issued on April 6th, 1970 by the Secretary of Ordzhonikidze Regional Council of Zaporizhya City, Kurta. (Note: “Anatoliy Grigo'yevich” in error or another person altogether.)

Gratitude Certificate, #221, issued on January 16th, 1945 for the breakthrough of German defense on West bank of Wisla river at south part of Warsaw by the Commander of Military Unit 45230.

[Bill Garvy]

Gratitude Certificate, #339, issued on April 26th, 1945 for the breakthrough of German defense at west part of Oder river and offensive attack on Berlin by Commander of Military Unit 45230.

Gratitude Certificate, #359, issued on May 2nd, 1945 for the defeat of Berlin Army Group and Capture of Berlin by the Commander of Military Unit 45230.

Gratitude Certificate issued on July 30th, 1945 for the demobilization from the Soviet Army and return to Motherland.

My thanks to desantnik for his invaluable assistance.