Gorlitskij, Semen Moiseеvich, Field Medic, 5th Guards Airborne Brigade

[medaldude]

Hello All,

Though this group to Major Semyon M. Gorlitsky does not contain any of the rare medals or orders it is my favourite one in my collection because his first Red Star, #498505, was awarded for valour during an airborne assault. The award book is dated Jan 1944.

The commendation reads in part: Dropped in the enemy rear 09/24/1943. After the landing Lieutenant Gorlitsky found himself in the area of the German Defence in the village Shelepukha. (where is that?) He had not entirely released himself of the harness when he heard German speech and saw up to 5 Fritzs. Comrade Gorlitsky was aware that they were going to take him alive. So he made a courageous decision to struggle to the last gasp in order to fight his way to our troops. Firing submachinegun Lieutenant Gorlitsky breached the enemy encirclement and broke out...... The description continues in the typical Soviet fashion making it sound like he wipes out at least several SS divisions with his submachinegun.

The group includes his jump badge # U-17413, early guard badge, 2 Red Stars and medal for combat services.

His picture in the award book shows him with the rank of Senior Lieutenant and only wearing the guards badge. The picture in the records show him as a Major and wearing all of the above awards and badges including a victory medal which didn't come with the group. He retired in 1958 and was awarded a 2nd Red Star for long service. The records show his nationality as Jew.

I had ordered the research from the Russian archives on his Red Star about 4 years ago. I only provided the 1st Red Star serial number. I withheld the name so I could be sure the research copies I received were legit. The names matched. The first award for an airborne assault action he had ever seen.

Tom

Opps, forgot to name his unit:

4th Battalion, 5th Guards Airborne Brigade