Nikolaenko was a magnet for bureaucratic errors, his 28th September 1945 awarded Medal "For Combat Merits" not being issued until 27th January 2005 - nearly 59 1/2 years later.
It takes the record for longest catch-up in the collection, beating a 24th February 1882 issued Afghanistan Medal that didn't get into the hands of the recipient until 12th October 1938 - over 56 1/2 years later.
Deputy Commander Of A Rifle Section, Junior Sergeant Nikolaenko, Prokofij Pavlovich for that, when in battle for height 939.0, 14th August 1945 upon the loss of the commander of the section out of action, took over command of the section himself and personally destroyed one Japanese sniper.
Born 1923.
Ukrainian, Non-Partisan, In the Red Army from 1941 called to Milove Regional Military Commissariat. Participant in war from 8th August 1945. Has no awards.