Ushakov,03514,Submachinegunner,487th Separate Disciplinary Battalion

[Jeffrey Meffert]

I've been tickled that Alexei has finally been able to access some naval awards documents and thankful as usual for Paul's translation service. I've always liked my ushakov medal for its unique design and always hoped to find out more about how it was won. Better than I hoped! Amazing thing is the date on the citation below. With war more or less over, this brave sailor still risked his life in order to win the medal that would redeem him from the Shtraftbat.

Award Recommendation on Rifleman-Submachinegunner, 487 Independent Disciplinary Battalion, Red Banner Fleet Senior Seaman Semen Prokofevich Ivashchenko for the Ushakov Medal
1. Birthyear: 1917
2. Nationality: Ukrainian
3. Social standing: worker
4. Party member: n/a
5. Service in Army or Navy: since 1938
6. Participation in the Civil War: n/a
7. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a
8. Earlier awards: n/a
9. Earlier admonitions: n/a
10. Service in the White or other Bourgeois Armies or POW: n/a
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: Nikolaev Oblast, Kherson, village of Kindiika
Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment
As a participant of the first marine assault on the Frische Nehrung spit on 26.04.45, he destroyed with grenades an enemy machinegun. He steadfastly and boldly repelled an enemy counterattack. He personally killed three Germans.
He is deserving of the State award, the Ushakov Medal.
Signed Commander, 487 Independent Disciplinary Battalion, Red Banner Baltic Fleet, Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Oskarovich Leibovich on 5 May 1945
Endorsed 260 Marine Brigade Commander, Colonel Moloduev on 5 May 1945
Endorsed Commander Naval Base, Pillau, Red Banner Baltic Fleet, Counter-Admiral Feldman on 5 May 1945