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The Researchers' Corner Research; the mysterious process which slowly sweeps away the passage of time to reveal the unique history within every award and unit.

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Old 08-16-2013, 10:47 AM   #1
CtahhR
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Researching yourself?

No, not being egocentric, has anyone ever known of a recipient of Soviet awards researching themselves to find out just why they received the award(s) they received. They will not have been informed of the reasons of their award (as it was top secret).

The situation is very much the same here in Britain where when you are awarded many of the state awards you get a letter just saying "I inform you you have been awarded x" or are simply "authorised" wear of a Medal rather than "awarded" it, totally negating a citation.
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Old 08-19-2013, 01:13 PM   #2
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Re: Researching yourself?

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Originally Posted by CtahhR View Post
No, not being egocentric, has anyone ever known of a recipient of Soviet awards researching themselves to find out just why they received the award(s) they received. They will not have been informed of the reasons of their award (as it was top secret).
I do have an interesting example of recipient's interest to research his own history: my close relative (still teaching sports to kids in Israel !!). After briefly looking at his awards on Podvignaroda, I talked to him about his Red Banner- just to surprise him, since he never got one! Instead he received the Red Star. So I've been tasked to find out the truth, which was: the presentation to Red Banner in May 1945 by the colonel, has been changed 13 days later by the division General-Major to Red Star, which was awarded to him 2 days after that. Interestingly to note, that my relative was not aware of the official reason for the award presentation, nor of the award he was initially presented to...though the real story and the "paper" one quite matched :)
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Old 08-19-2013, 01:22 PM   #3
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Re: Researching yourself?

Interesting stuff!

Do you have a translated copy of the citation?

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Old 08-19-2013, 01:23 PM   #4
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Re: Researching yourself?

It is good to know that the "official" and recollected situation match.

I known a recipient of awards who had his awards listed in his service book and never received them. When he was discharged they just crossed out the awards not yet issued and sent him on his way.

I'm sure there are a vast array of complimentary and contradictory stories out there to be found.
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Old 08-19-2013, 01:26 PM   #5
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Re: Researching yourself?

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They will not have been informed of the reasons of their award (as it was top secret).
Interesting! I never realised this was the case.....
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Old 08-19-2013, 01:32 PM   #6
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Re: Researching yourself?

I was suppose it was to be obscure so there could be little discussion.

People may feel certain actions should have been rewarded and others not and so on. If you are just told "good boy have an award" it could be for a single kill or accumulated exemplary service or both or neither.

Also there may be resentment of Colonel X who downgraded the award....
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Old 08-19-2013, 08:23 PM   #7
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Re: Researching yourself?

Sorry, I didn't have the research translated-I was able to read the original "as is".
Briefly: he was a scout, and personally discovered 12 fire-points of the enemy during the battles for Sankt-Pelten(?) 15.04.1945 and Totuenbach (?) 13.04.1945. Due to the intelligence he provided, those fortified points were eliminated by mortar fire , together with about a battalion of enemy fighters. He personally killed 2 enemy officers, 12 soldiers and 2 "observers" (scouts?).
Attached here is the 2nd page of the Citation, where it is clearly seen "Red Banner" crossed out and next to it written "Red Star".
I would speculate, based on multiple stories I've heard and comparison with other comrades of the platoon and on the list, that the reason for "downgrading" the order in this specific case, was his ethnicity. His comrades and immediate commanders knew him as Ukranian. In reality, he is Jewish, and that was known to a higher-ups and HR.
I guess we'll never know the truth behind the changes. Quite similar case is described in "Echoes..." on pp.143-144, with explanation about the meaning of "nationality" in USSR.

I hope you guys will pardon my English ;)

Igor
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Old 08-20-2013, 02:25 AM   #8
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Re: Researching yourself?

Igor, thanks for sharing that!

Its sad that the downgrade happened, especially if it was due to his ethnicity. I guess the most important thing though, was that he made it home alive.

and whatever the award, it was an extremely valorous act which im sure would have been appreciated a hell of a lot by his comrdes, even if the highe command used it as a point to exercise their prejudice.

All the best,

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Old 08-20-2013, 03:38 AM   #9
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Re: Researching yourself?

And whilst the regime was in place this prejudice was hidden away.

I doubt there would even be an award had he been a Kalmyk.
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