Gribachev, Ivan Trofimovich, Starshina, Minesweeper "Beloberezhe", Black Sea Fleet

[Bill Garvy]

Unit Award Order

[trans: stamped “Declassified”]

SECRET

Black Sea Fleet Command Order 37/s dated 26th May, 1943

On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations for exemplary accomplishment of the Command’s missions in the struggle against the German invaders and for having displayed valor and bravery:

Combat Service Medal to:

4. Junior Commander Ivan Trofimovich Gribachev – Machinist Section Commander, Minesweeper “Beloberezhe”

Signed Black Sea Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral L. Vladimirskii, Member of the Military Committee Counter-Admiral N. Kulakov, and Chief of Staff Counter-Admiral I. Eliseev

Printed in 3 copies
1-Supreme Soviet
2-Navy HQ
3-Black Sea Fleet HQ
SK 26.05.43

[Bill Garvy]

Award Sheet

[trans: Stamped “Combat Service Medal”]

On Minesweeper “Beloberezhe” Machinist Section Commander Ivan Trofimovich Gribachev

1. Birth year: 1913
Submitted for the Combat Service Medal
2. Nationality: Russian
3. Social position: from working family
4. Party membership: CPSU since 5.1940 #3501221
5. In Red Army and Navy: 1936-1940 and since June 1941 until present
6. Civil War participation: n/a
7. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a
8. Previous award submissions: n/a
9. Earlier awardings: for exemplary service and work has received five congratulatory certificates from ship captain
10. Service in White or other foreign armies, POW: no, no
11. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment

1. The ship’s mobilization into the Navy proceeded at an accelerated tempo with major work conducted during short time suspense. There was little time for familiarizing reserve seamen to working the ship’s equipment. Accomplishing their combat orders, the personnel learned their roles enroute at sea. Under such conditions Comrade Gribachev employed his capable leadership to provide the necessary actions and taught his machinists to employ their devices.

2. During the deployment of troops from Kerch to Taman (November 1941) the mechanisms’ continuous work permitted the deployment orders without interruption. Comrade Gribachev’s achievement was in that he used the briefest moorings to attentively inspect the mechanisms and conduct preventive maintenance.

3. At this time when the enemy was already near Kerch and shelled the port from mortars the ship was forced to leave the base under continuous fire. The provision of maximum speed and mechanisms’ functioning enabled the evacuation under fire without losses. Comrade Gribachev was sailing the craft at that time.

4. After departing Kerch the transportation of troops to the port of Tapryuk was conducting during 7-8 knot winds (prior to the war the craft had never gone to sea with more than 4 knots due to the scow). Water began to appear in the engine room and Comrade Gribachev’s selfless work evacuated the water. The ship safely arrived to its designated location.

5. During the naval assault on the Kerch peninsula the ship arrived on time despite the designated slow speed (3-4 knots). Maneuvering along the enemy-held coast and under fire the assault group was disembarked. Comrade Gribachev’s devices worked well and the ship arrived safely to its designated location.

6. While transferring loads and troops from Taman to Kerch (January 1942) in the ice when, as a result of the lack of fresh water, the boilers tried to (?) and the fuel (?), but due to poor quality coal that decreased the speed of the ship, nevertheless the combat missions were accomplished and despite the urgent requirement for repairs Comrade Gribachev was able to overcome all obstacles related to the devices and correct them without the ship being put out of action.

7. While patrolling the ship was attacked by enemy submarines. Maneuvers which required maximum speed were possible and enemy torpedoes passed harmlessly past. At that time Comrade Gribachev was the watch officer and quickly accomplished the bridge’s orders indicating the necessary maneuvers.

8. During the ship’s repairs (February-May 1942) more than 60% of the work was accomplished by the boat’s assigned personnel. The work detail under Comrade Gribachev’s leadership fully accomplished their assigned missions, accomplishing their daily tasks by 150-200%.

9. While on patrol the circulating pump went out of action and main power stopped. The wind reached 6-7 knots and the ship was pounded along the sides causing a 40% lilt. For more than an hour the ship held its own on the sea. During this time Comrade Gribachev repaired the accident and the ship was again on way.

Signed Commander, 52 Minesweeper, Lieutenant Aleksandrenko on 3rd December, 1942

[Bill Garvy]

Document for the Medal Defense of Odessa issued August 8th, 1943 by Captain, 3rd Class, Dubovov on Minesweeper T-52, Naval Defense Region, Black Sea Fleet, Serial #M08402

Document for the Medal Defense of the Caucasus issued May 22nd, 1945 by Captain, 3rd Class, Shchepachenko, 1st Torpedo Cutter Brigade, Naval Defense District, Black Sea Fleet, Serial #R022360

Document for the Medal Victory over Germany issued August 15th, 1946 by the Commander of the Minesweeper “Khost”, Black Sea Fleet, Serial #Kh0261184


Award Card receipt pending, and my thanks to desantnik for his invaluable assistance. . .

[Bill Garvy]

Record card

Order booklet nr. 579930

1. Last name: Gribachev
2. First name and patronymic: Ivan Trofimovich
3. Military rank: Petty Officer First Class
4. Sex: Male
5. Year of birth: 1913
6. Place of birth: City of Nikolayev
7. Party membership (since which year): Member of the Communist Party since 1940
8. Education: Elementary
9. Nationality: Russian
10. Since which year in the Red Army: From October 1935 through December 1940 and from June 1941 through December 1946
11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position occupied at the time of the award: Team Commander in the Engine Section of the 1st Minesweeper Brigade, Black Sea Fleet
12. Current place of service and position: Temporarily unemployed
13. Home address of the awardee: 26 Lenin Street, city of Poti

14. List of all awards received:

Name of the order or medal/Serial number/Number of the document/Ground of award

Medal for Combat Merit 293270 Temporary certificate nr. 29306 Order of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet nr. 37/S of May 26th, 1943

Order of the Red Star 1994357 Temporary certificate nr. 73671 Order of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet nr. 1/S of January 17th, 1946

Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus / R-022360 Decree of May 1st, 1944

Medal for the Defense of Odessa / M-08402 Decree of December 22nd, 1942

Medal for the Victory over Germany / Kh-0261184 Decree of May 9th, 1945

Signature of the awardee: [signed]

I confirm the correctness of the data and the signature of the awardee (position and signature):

Military commissar of the city of Poti
Colonel [signed] /Kurnatsin/
January 15th, 1947


My thanks to Auke for his invaluable assistance. . .