Security services research question

[RedMaestro2]

We know that standard archival research on awards to WWII security personnel (NKVD, SMERSH, ...) is sometimes (even often?) possible. My question is, does research ever provide information about the individual's post-war career in security forces?


A made-up example to illustrate:

Let's say I have a group (I don't :() to an NKVD officer, the highlights of which are a WWII Red Banner, a 1960's Distinguished Labor Medal, and a pile of anniversary medals. The documents for the anniversary awards clearly indicate that the officer served into the 60's in the security forces (KGB, MGB, MVD, what have you...). The Labor medal no doubt had something to do with that post-war service.

Say I get this group researched. If results are found, is the Labor medal likely to show up on the award record card? Or will it only be the WWII ORB? Will the service record show the officer's post-war service? Or will there be nothing after 1945?


Any concrete examples to answer this question?

Hope this was clear. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Alex

[Eryk]

Not an officer unfortunately, so no bio sheet, but do have a small group to an NKVD NCO. Awarded a Bravery Medal in 1944 and an Order of Honor in 1966. Different order books for each, and the one returned award sheet (1946) only shows the BM and various campaign medals. Was hoping for an officer so there would be a biography! But for him the award card was not updated with the Order of Honor.

[RedMaestro2]

Originally Posted by Eryk

Not an officer unfortunately, so no bio sheet, but do have a small group to an NKVD NCO. Awarded a Bravery Medal in 1944 and an Order of Honor in 1966. Different order books for each, and the one returned award sheet (1946) only shows the BM and various campaign medals. Was hoping for an officer so there would be a biography! But for him the award card was not updated with the Order of Honor.

Thanks very much for the answer, Eryk. Unfortunately, this example doesn't shed very much light because there is no biography or service record. But beyond that, I believe the Order of the Badge of Honor was probably a labor award, totally unrelated to NKVD/etc. service. First of all, there is no concrete info indicating post-war service through 1966 (although maybe you have archival or anniversary documents otherwise). Second, there is no 1966 decree I'm aware for service in the security forces. If the order was indeed a labor award, it's highly unlikely it would show up on the award card anyway.

Alex

[medals73]

The previous custodian was able to do research on the mostly-documents group to Colonel Mikhail Avetikovich Karapetyan, KGB. He joined the Cheka in 1920 and retired as a KGB colonel in 1957.

See: http://soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...etjan-kgb.html

[Eryk]

Originally Posted by RedMaestro2

Thanks very much for the answer, Eryk. Unfortunately, this example doesn't shed very much light because there is no biography or service record. But beyond that, I believe the Order of the Badge of Honor was probably a labor award, totally unrelated to NKVD/etc. service. First of all, there is no concrete info indicating post-war service through 1966 (although maybe you have archival or anniversary documents otherwise). Second, there is no 1966 decree I'm aware for service in the security forces. If the order was indeed a labor award, it's highly unlikely it would show up on the award card anyway.

Alex

Only doco after 1946 are the 1966 BoH order book and his 1985 veterans OGPW document. Only a sergeant, tho this is older research so more may pop up someday.