Glory III,016879,Messenger,43rd Guards Latvian Rifle Division

[doomula5000]

Award Card
Order Booklet B 025364

1. Last name: Tsvetkov
2. Name and patrionymic: Nikolai Mikhailovich
3. Rank:
4. Gender: Male
5. Birthyear: 1924
6. Birthplace: Pskov Oblast, Byt(?)lovskii Region
7. Party membership: since 1944
8. Education: elementary
9. Nationality: Russian
10. Time in Red Army: 13.8.42-6.1945
11. Place of service at awarding: 43 Latvian Rifle Division, 22 Army, 2 Baltic Front – Scout
12. Place of work at present: n/a
13. Home address: Baldone Val, Partovaya St. #1, Riga District
14. Awards:

Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization

Glory III 16.879 22 Army dated 17.2.44

Bravery Medal 2.059.739 125 Guards Rifle Regiment dated 6.9.44

Victory over Germany Medal Edict dated 9.5.45

Verified by Riga District Military Commissariat Lieutenant Colonel Nedra on 23 April 1947


Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Tsvetkov, Nikolai Mikhailovich
2. Rank: Guards Private
3. Duty position: Messenger of the Deputy Battalion Commander – Independent Guards Ski Battalion, 43 Guards Latvian Rifle Division
Recommendation for the Order of the Red Banner
4. Born: 1924
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: n/a
7. Previous combat: NW as of 1 April(?) 1943, 2 Baltic Front as of 17.11.43
8. Wounds or shell-shock: wounded 4 August 1943
9. Time in Red Army: since 13 August 1942
10. Inducted by: Elasovskii Regional Military Commissariat, Mari ASSR
11. Previous awards: none
12. Home of record: Mari ASSR, Erasovskii Region,

Krasnomeshevskii Selsovet,Red Hill village
Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment


While accomplishing a combat mission on 14 January 1944 during the capture of Farevnya(?), Comrade Tsvetkov was among the first to rush into Farevnya and at point-blank range destroyed fascists. While repelling enemy armored attacks, Comrade Tsetkov disrupted an assault of tank-borne infantry at a distance of 30-40 meters by throwing grenades and killing as many as 15 fascists. For exemplary accomplishment of his combat mission in the struggle against the German invaders, Comrade Tsvetkov is deserving of the Order of the Red Banner.

Signed Commander, Independent Guards Ski Battalion, Guards Captain Pond(?) on 16 January 1944

Endorsed Division Commander, Guards General-Major Vrantkaln and Division Chief of Staff Guards Colonel Ivanovskii on 24 January 1944

Endorsed Commander, 97 Rifle Corps, General-Lieutenant Novselskii on 29 January 1944

[deValcourt]

It's good to see someone of the lowly rank of private up for such an order.:thumbsup

Phillip

[doomula5000]

I would like to thank two members of this forum for helping me research and translate my first Soviet Order. This is a very exciting experience, can't wait to do more. It feels good to preserve the service and sacrifice of these brave soldiers caught in the winds of conflict.

Is it possible to find information on the 43rd Guards Latvian Rifle Division I have only been able to find small bits of information. If I am correct he took part in the attack on the Kurland pocket, but where did they go from there? Did they fight against any Latvian SS Divisions in Kurland?

[desantnik]

I was most struck by the downgrade from Red Banner to Glory III. In between was Bogdan III (conceivably), OPW I, OPWII, and Red Star.

[deValcourt]

I was most struck by the downgrade from Red Banner to Glory III. In between was Bogdan III (conceivably), OPW I, OPWII, and Red Star.

I'm not completely used to reading these yet, but now I see what you mean. I had forgotten that the last part is the nomination and the first part is the actual award. And yes that is quite a jump. Perhaps by 1944 the high command was not as willing to give ORBs to privates if they knew they would be happy with OGIIIs. Just my inner cynicism coming out.;)

Phillip

[Kirchgoens]

Better an OG3 anyway, especially given that an ORB can be given just for hanging in there for a couple decades. Then again, hanging in there for the 20 years ending in '44 would have been a hell of an accomplishment given the risks so many soldiers faced even before the enemy bullets started flying.

[Eryk]

According to Sharp in vol. IV of his Soviet Order of Battle the 43rd GRD was formed from the only Latvian division in the RKKA after 1941 - the 201st RD - on 5-10-42. After mid 1943 the division never left the Baltics, entering Riga in Oct 1944. Also says they fought in the Courland, though never mentions fighting other Latvian units.

Nice award BTW!

[CtahhR]

The original citation.