For Combat Merits,1492295,Cobbler,77th Separate Company Of Communications

[medals73]

Picked up New Delhi, India (how'd it get THERE?). And then the joys of research:

Record card

1. Last name: RYSHKOV (in the order book RYZHKOV)
2. First, middle names: Grigory Mikhailovich
3. Military rank: Rank
4. Sex:
5. Year of birth: 1904
6. Place of birth:
7. Party membership since: Non-party
8. Education:
9. Nationality: Russian
10. In the Red Army since:
11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position occupied when awarded: 77th detached intercommunication company, 227th assault aviation division – boot-maker
12. Current place of service and position:
13. Home address of the awardee: Kirghiz SSR, Oshskaya region, Uzgensky district, Merzaaki village
14. Previous awards

Names of orders, medals Their numbers Document numbers Ground for award
Checked

Military Merits medal 1492295 Temporary Certificate B-696215 Order 019/N of October 2, 1944
For the fights against German invaders.
227th assault aviation division.

AWARD CITATION

1. First, middle and last names Ryzhkov Grigory Mikhailovich
2. Rank Soldier
3. Position, unit Shoemaker of the 77th detached intercommunication company, of the 227th Berdichevsk, holding the Order of the Red Banner assault aircraft division

Is recommended for Military Merits medal

4. Year of birth 1904
5. Nationality Russian
6. Party membership Non-party
7. Participation in the civil war and other military actions aimed at the defense of the USSR (where and when) July, 1943, the battle of Kursk; October,1943, on the right-bank of the Dnepr
8. Wounds or contusions received during the Patriotic War July, 1943, in the battle of Kursk, left thigh wound; October,1943, foot wound; Certificate № 3808A
9. In the Red Army since February,1942
10. Drafted by what district military commissariat Uzgensky district military commissariat, Osh region
11. Previous awards None
12. Permanent home address (of the prospective awardee or his/her family) Uzgensky district, Kirghiz SSR, Merzajaki village;

I. Brief description of personal feat or merits

In July 1943, numbering the 86th rifle regiment he participated in the battles on Kurskaya Duga where he was wounded in the left thigh. Next time he was wounded in the left foot on the right-bank of the Dnepr. Later he was treated at an evacuation hospital.

In the duration of stay in the 77th detached intercommunication company since December 1943 he proved himself as a perfectly disciplined and industrious soldier. He works well as a shoemaker having time to repair up to 10 pairs of shoes a day, being very busy. He shows much initiative in manufacturing tools and searching for the materials. In spring 1944 in the absence of materials for soles he used old branch pipes of the rubbered fabrics. This method of manufacturing entirely justified itself. The shoes repaired by the comrade Ryzhkov is used by the soldiers for a long time.

Conclusion: Comrade Ryzhkov deserves the government award, Military Merits medal – for his active participation in battles defending our Motherland and his great and selfless work in our military unit.

Commander of the 77th detached intercommunication Company of the 227th Berdichevsk assault aircraft division holding the Order of the Red Banner

Senior Lieutenant (signed) /Gubin/
??, 1944

II. Conclusion of the Higher Command

Agree. Reward with the Military Merits medal.

Temporarily acting for the commander of the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division
Lieutenant Colonel (signed) /Zhidkov/
September 30, 1944.

By the order to the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division No 019/N of October 2, 1944 is awarded with Military Merits medal.
Head of the personnel department of the 227th Berdichevsk assault, holding the Order of the Red Banner aircraft division
Major (signed) /Pasechny/

[medals73]

How that "sad single" got to India still confuses me; sent out as scrap along with the kilos of broken maternal awards and jubilee OPWs?

Happy to have saved it (and his almost-lost history). Got it for almost nothing, so I am a happy camper.

Research is our salvation!

Also got a low "No." gallantry medal at the same time that I still quest after . . . .

[Nota Bene]

Yes, most likely was sold for scrap. At least this one got lucky!

Alexei

[CtahhR]

Here is the original citation.