Red Star,0813617,Platoon Leader,57th Separate Motorised-Tank-Bridge Battalion

[Bill Garvy]

Award Card

Order Booklet V 943375

1. Last name: Mavrichev
2. Name and patrionymic: Mikhail Aleksandrovich
3. Rank: Major
4. Gender: Male
5. Birthyear: 1920
6. Birthplace: Novgorod Obl. Okulovskii Region, village of Malo Krestovo
7. Party membership: since 1944
8. Education: mid-level
9. Nationality: Russian
10. Time in Red Army: since 11.1939
11. Place of service at awarding: Student – Military Engineering Academy named after V.V. Kuibyshev
12. Place of work at present: same
13. Home address: St. Nakhavino(?), Military Base, Bldg. 1, Apt. 8
14. Awards:

Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization

Patriotic War II 498.354 Zeeland Group of Forces dated 10.4.45

Red Star 813.617 1st Tank Corps dated 11.7.44

Red Star 3.378.258 Edict dated 26.10.55

Victory over Germany Medal Edict dated 9.5.45

Victory over Japan Medal Edict dated 30.9.45

Capture of Koenigsberg Medal Edict dated 9.6.45

30th Anniversary of Soviet Army & Navy Medal Edict dated 22.2.48

Verified by Deputy Chief of Personnel Red Banner Military Engineering Academy named after V.V. Kuibyshev Lieutenant Colonel S. Kurtikov on 20th December, 1955

[Bill Garvy]

Unit Award Order


SECRET

[trans: stamped “1st Baltic Front”]

First Red Banner Tank Corps Order 05/N dated 21st March, 1945
On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations for exemplary accomplishment of the Command’s missions in the struggle against the German invaders and for having displayed valor and bravery:

Order of the Red Star to:

15. Senior Lieutenant Mavrichev, Mikhail Aleksandrovich - Platoon Leader, 57th Independent Motorized Pontoon-Bridge Battalion

Signed Commander, 1st Red Banner Tank Corps, General-Lieutenant of Tank Forces Butkov and Corps Chief of Staff Colonel Skripka

5 Copies

Dated 10.VII.44

[Bill Garvy]

Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Mavrichev, Mikhail Aleksandrovich
2. Rank: Senior Lieutenant
3. Duty position: Platoon Leader – 57th Independent Motorized-Tank-Bridge Battalion
Recommendation for the Order of the Patriotic War II Class
4. Born: 1920
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: yes
7. Previous combat: since 22.06.41
8. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a
9. In Red Army: since 21.11.39
10. Inducted by: Akulovskii Regional Military Commissariat
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment

Senior Lieutenant Mikhail Aleksandrovich Mavrichev has been in the battalion since September, 1941. As a platoon leader he has proven himself a bold, talented, and motivated commander. He has displayed major organizational abilities and personal bravery while constructing bridges under enemy fire. Comrade Mavrichev exceptionally excelled during the Western Dvina River forced crossing and actions at the village of Uzreche. For two days Comrade Mavrichev removed a swamp and mud from a motorpool and despite the difficulties delivered the 159 Brigade’s tanks to the fording site on time. Due to his excellent work Comrade Mavrichev the tanks left for the crossing in 9-11 minutes.

When the crossing site was completed, an enemy aviation raid caused holes on the pontoon, but Comrade Mavrichev quickly ameliorated the damage and work on the fording site was done in an exacting manner. Comrade Mavrichev worked for three days without rest and displayed exceptional dedication and bravery while fulfilling missions during the Western Dvina river crossing.

He is deserving of the Order of the Patriotic War II Class.

Signed Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (?)ovich on 30th June, 1944

Endorsed 1st Tank Corps Engineer Colonel Marin on 6.7.1944

Endorsed 1st Red Banner Tank Corps General-Lieutenant of Tank Forces Butkov on 8th July, 1944

[Bill Garvy]

Senior Lieutenant Mikhail Aleksandrovich Mavrichev's Order of the Red Star, #813617.

My thanks to the Kabbage Man & desantnik for their invaluable assistance.