Nikolaj Nikiforovich Kirichenko, Cavalier Of 3 Orders Of Glory.

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Here is a PMR group to a Tiraspol native and combat veteran of the Great Patriotic War Nikolaj Nikiforovich Kirichenko.

Unfortunately the remnants of his 60+ year group are now limited to this set which is more than likely the entirety of awards granted to him by the post-Soviet state.

His first award here by date is for the 50th anniversary dated 3rd May 1995 #000805. A very blurred image.

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His second PMR award was the Medal "Zhukov" #007682 on 14th May 1997.

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60th Anniversary #005635.

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Finally the Commemorative Badge "Veteran Of War 1941-1945" #01661 awarded for the 55th anniversary of victory.

This is an official state award in the PMR which is not true for its status in other nations (such as Russia) where it was awarded by organisational committees and not the state.

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Here is the Saint Petersburg made award in more detail.

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There is a twist to the missing pieces of this group.

Kirichenko was also awarded (in order);

Medal "For Bravery" (Citation currently AWOL)
Order "Glory" 3rd Class (Proposed 16th February 1945)
Order "Glory" 3rd Class (Proposed 6th April 1945)
Order "Glory" 2nd Class (Proposed 9th June 1945)
Order "Patriotic War" II 9th April 1985.

Almost but not quite the full cavalier.

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Looking into this recipient in more detail it seems he was the only Tiraspol native that was awarded 3 Orders "Glory" and one of only 24 awarded the 2nd Class. There were also three Tiraspol HSUs but I have not yet been able to ascertain their lifespans. This information combined could mean that Kirichenko was either one of, if not the highest decorated of PMR veterans, or at "worst" one of the highest decorated PMR "born and bred" veterans.

Hopefully with some effort and contacts in Tiraspol some more information will present itself on this Transnistrian veteran of distinction.

Internet searches on PMR websites have returned no results but this is not surprising due to the "iffy" service provided by those that are still actually active and the fact that Kirichenko may have died any time between 2005 and now.