<![CDATA[The Soviet Military Awards Page Forum - Collectors' Stories]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:12:00 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[#3 Smashing A Myth - The Men Of The Night Witches Regiment.]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-3-Smashing-A-Myth-The-Men-Of-The-Night-Witches-Regiment Fri, 28 Oct 2016 15:59:48 +0000 CtahhR]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-3-Smashing-A-Myth-The-Men-Of-The-Night-Witches-Regiment
The regiment was nicknamed the "Skirt Regiment" by fellow Soviets and for the last seventy years there has been a very strict line that the entire regiment was wholly women for the entire duration of the war (with the exception of the staff driver - who was awarded the Medal "For Combat Merits" - but one staff driver isn't going to change the momentum of the regiment)

Having spent several months researching the Regiment in depth (and randomly obtaining the driver's Medal) I have found that he wasn't unique or alone as a man in the "Women's Regiment".

The 46th's entire ПАРМ-1 (Mobile Automobile Restoration Workshop) also consisted of male personnel, other than that men were very rare but not missing.

The daring, darling female Pilots and Navigators is the propagated hook of the regiment, with almost as much focus being given to the "all" female ground crew supporting them all the way through the war.

But here are some stories of the men of the 588th/46th.

.jpg   Nikulina 19.jpg (Size: 90.83 KB / Downloads: 39)

.jpg   Nikulina 27.jpg (Size: 101.52 KB / Downloads: 37) ]]>
The regiment was nicknamed the "Skirt Regiment" by fellow Soviets and for the last seventy years there has been a very strict line that the entire regiment was wholly women for the entire duration of the war (with the exception of the staff driver - who was awarded the Medal "For Combat Merits" - but one staff driver isn't going to change the momentum of the regiment)

Having spent several months researching the Regiment in depth (and randomly obtaining the driver's Medal) I have found that he wasn't unique or alone as a man in the "Women's Regiment".

The 46th's entire ПАРМ-1 (Mobile Automobile Restoration Workshop) also consisted of male personnel, other than that men were very rare but not missing.

The daring, darling female Pilots and Navigators is the propagated hook of the regiment, with almost as much focus being given to the "all" female ground crew supporting them all the way through the war.

But here are some stories of the men of the 588th/46th.

.jpg   Nikulina 19.jpg (Size: 90.83 KB / Downloads: 39)

.jpg   Nikulina 27.jpg (Size: 101.52 KB / Downloads: 37) ]]> <![CDATA[#2 Visiting A Sniper Heroine In Moscow.]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-2-Visiting-A-Sniper-Heroine-In-Moscow Mon, 28 Mar 2016 02:38:53 +0000 Henry Sakaida]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-2-Visiting-A-Sniper-Heroine-In-Moscow VISITING A SNIPER HEROINE IN MOSCOW
By Henry Sakaida
You can’t collect Soviet orders and medals and not be a historian! Those items are the physical link to the recipient’s past and their contributions to history. The ultimate trip is to make that trip to Russia and visit the final resting place of people who made Soviet history.

Back in 2010, my friend and I visited Moscow. It would be criminal of you NOT to visit Novodevichiye Cemetery there! This is where many famous historical people are buried. Unlike American cemeteries which are absolutely boring, Russian cemeteries are very interesting! Each grave marker is unique…with sculptures and monuments. It is like an outdoor museum of art!

On my bucket list was to put flowers on the grave of Ludmila Pavlichenko, the top Soviet female sniper, who knocked off 309 Germans during the Great Patriotic War. Major Pavlichenko became a Hero of the Soviet Union on 25th October 1943.

While walking around in the cemetery, I found the grave of Lieutenant-General Basan B. Gorodovikov, a Kalmyk Hero of the Soviet Union (I’ve always been interested in the Asian HSUs).

The cemetery is full of combat and labor heroes, notable scientists, artists, architects, musicians, scholars, politicians, cosmonauts and entertainers. You will spend hours there and enjoy every minute!

Photograph #1 Pavlichenko posing during the war.
Photograph #2 Pavlichenko's life was commemorated on a Soviet stamp
Photograph #3 Pavlichenko died on 10th October 1978 at age 58. Her remains are interned in the wall along with family members.
Photograph #4 Her grave is way up on the wall, but luckily, there was a ladder.
Photograph #5 Gorodovikov in his prime.
Photograph #6 Gorodovikov towards the end of his career. His father was also a General and Hero Of The Soviet Union.
Photograph #7 Gorodovikov’s grave. I placed a bouquet of white carnations on his grave.

.jpeg   Pavlichenko sniper.jpeg (Size: 109.01 KB / Downloads: 16)

.jpg   Pavlichenko stamp.jpg (Size: 33.75 KB / Downloads: 15)

.jpg   Pavlichenko grave.jpg (Size: 113.02 KB / Downloads: 18)

.jpg   Pavlichenko grave Henry.jpg (Size: 108.62 KB / Downloads: 27)

.jpg   Basan B. Gorodovikov.jpg (Size: 118.95 KB / Downloads: 17)

.jpg   Gorodovikov_BB.jpg (Size: 25.83 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   Basan B Gorodovikov grave.jpg (Size: 214.53 KB / Downloads: 20) ]]> VISITING A SNIPER HEROINE IN MOSCOW
By Henry Sakaida
You can’t collect Soviet orders and medals and not be a historian! Those items are the physical link to the recipient’s past and their contributions to history. The ultimate trip is to make that trip to Russia and visit the final resting place of people who made Soviet history.

Back in 2010, my friend and I visited Moscow. It would be criminal of you NOT to visit Novodevichiye Cemetery there! This is where many famous historical people are buried. Unlike American cemeteries which are absolutely boring, Russian cemeteries are very interesting! Each grave marker is unique…with sculptures and monuments. It is like an outdoor museum of art!

On my bucket list was to put flowers on the grave of Ludmila Pavlichenko, the top Soviet female sniper, who knocked off 309 Germans during the Great Patriotic War. Major Pavlichenko became a Hero of the Soviet Union on 25th October 1943.

While walking around in the cemetery, I found the grave of Lieutenant-General Basan B. Gorodovikov, a Kalmyk Hero of the Soviet Union (I’ve always been interested in the Asian HSUs).

The cemetery is full of combat and labor heroes, notable scientists, artists, architects, musicians, scholars, politicians, cosmonauts and entertainers. You will spend hours there and enjoy every minute!

Photograph #1 Pavlichenko posing during the war.
Photograph #2 Pavlichenko's life was commemorated on a Soviet stamp
Photograph #3 Pavlichenko died on 10th October 1978 at age 58. Her remains are interned in the wall along with family members.
Photograph #4 Her grave is way up on the wall, but luckily, there was a ladder.
Photograph #5 Gorodovikov in his prime.
Photograph #6 Gorodovikov towards the end of his career. His father was also a General and Hero Of The Soviet Union.
Photograph #7 Gorodovikov’s grave. I placed a bouquet of white carnations on his grave.

.jpeg   Pavlichenko sniper.jpeg (Size: 109.01 KB / Downloads: 16)

.jpg   Pavlichenko stamp.jpg (Size: 33.75 KB / Downloads: 15)

.jpg   Pavlichenko grave.jpg (Size: 113.02 KB / Downloads: 18)

.jpg   Pavlichenko grave Henry.jpg (Size: 108.62 KB / Downloads: 27)

.jpg   Basan B. Gorodovikov.jpg (Size: 118.95 KB / Downloads: 17)

.jpg   Gorodovikov_BB.jpg (Size: 25.83 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   Basan B Gorodovikov grave.jpg (Size: 214.53 KB / Downloads: 20) ]]> <![CDATA[#1 I Was A Guest Of The Hero's Family.]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-1-I-Was-A-Guest-Of-The-Hero-s-Family Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:50:48 +0000 Henry Sakaida]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-1-I-Was-A-Guest-Of-The-Hero-s-Family Mookhudin Umurdinov, Uzbek Hero Of The Soviet Union and here - Stolen And Returned, The Journey Of A Hero Star.

I WAS A GUEST OF THE HERO’S FAMILY
By Henry Sakaida

It was almost 14 years ago that I returned a great family heirloom to an Uzbek family via the US Embassy. On 1 August 2002, Mr. Rakhmatzon Umurdinov received his father’s Hero of the Soviet Union medal at the Uzbek National Military Museum in Tashkent.

Ever since the Umurdinovs received the medal back, they had been asking me for years to come and visit them. I had been reluctant to go since we had been heavily involved in Afghanistan, which Uzbekistan borders. I was afraid of the anti-American sentiments. But finally in September 2013, I decided to go. I went online to learn as much as I could about the country, and bought a Lonely Planet Guide to Uzbekistan.

When I touched down in Tashkent, I was greeted by Rakhmatzon and his friend Isroil. His friend spoke excellent English and became our translator. It seemed like Rakhmatzon and I were old friends; we had exchanged many letters and family snapshots over the years. They had driven the 7 hours from Fergana Valley to the capital city. I was surprised to see that Tashkent was a bustling, ultra-modern city.

While in Tashkent, I contacted Paul Schmitt, the co-author of The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals with Paul McDaniel. Paul was working at the American Embassy. It was finally nice to meet him in person. The following day, he took me to the local bazaar (much like our swap meet). All the dealers knew him and what his interests were. We didn’t see any high orders and medals, only the common stuff. “Once in a while, I’ll find something worth buying!” said Paul.

“Tashkent is completely safe!” Paul assured me. He never had to worry about his two teen daughters going out. They have bus passes and they go all over the city on their own. Communication is no problem since they spoke fluent Russian. In fact, Paul told me that he felt his girls were more safer in Tashkent than in the US! After that, I never worried about safety.

A few days later, we arrived in Boyiston Village in Fergana Valley. Fergana is a very fertile farming region. Here, you could see cars and donkey carts sharing the roads. All the women wore brightly colored dresses. Women did not wear bluejeans and T-shirts like they do in the US. If they did, they were foreign tourists or ultra modern Uzbek women. My host explained to me that they were Muslims, but not like those who prayed five times a day. Basically, Uzbeks are very low key about it, just like people here in the US. Uzbekistan had once been a part of the Soviet Union, and the authorities suppressed religion during that era.

Boyiston Village is old, with a population of 2,000. The Umurdinovs invited me into their home. Uzbek hospitality is just as severe as Ukrainian and Russian hospitality! The country is known for their wide variety of fruits. I think I was the first American visitor to their village.

One thing to know about Uzbekistan: I had to register at the hotel where I stayed. I could not stay with my hosts. It’s this old Soviet style mentality toward foreigners. I was required to keep a daily receipt from the hotel, which I would have to show at passport control in order to leave.

The following day, I went with Rakhmatzon and his son, and his older brother, and friends to visit the grave of their father, one of the 69 Uzbeks to become a Hero of the Soviet Union. I placed flowers on his grave and had my photo taken. Now my story was complete.

Rakhmatzon told me an interesting story. His father’s Hero medal had been lost three times! The first time was when he accompanied his father to market. They crossed a stream and when they arrived at the market, his dad’s medal was gone! They backtracked and eventually found the medal where it was dropped.

The second time the medal was lost was when, after his father died, a local man asked my host to loan it to him. His friend started a Martial Arts studio and wanted to display the medal in his dojo to inspire his students.
After a while, when Rakhmatzon visited the studio, it was boarded up! His friend’s business had failed and he moved to Moscow without telling him.
Luckily, Rakhmatzon was able to locate him after a long time; he returned, and brought back his father’s Hero medal.

The third time, the village flooded during a violent rain storm. The family had to evacuate. When they returned a few days later, their home had been ransacked, and the medal was gone. They kissed the medal goodbye. “It was gone forever!” said Rakhmatzon. Then he received my letter and you know the rest of the story.

With the return of the medal, the Umurdinov local lore was established.
Sgt. Mookhudin Umurdinov, a former radioman during the war, returned to his village. To modernize the community, he worked hard to wire the village for electricity, and worked as chairman of the local collective farm. He was great revered. “He was such a great man,” says the legend, “that Allah brought home his Hero medal!” Sounds great to me!

What was my impression of Uzbekistan? The people there are genuinely curious about Americans! Their government is spending a lot to tear down the old Soviet style apartments and replacing them with modern ones. Their major roads are just as good as the ones we have here. They have great restaurants and great food!

Photograph #1 Rakhmatzon Umurdinov and me. At parties and gatherings, males and females eat separately.
Photograph #2 Henry with the Umurdinov family.
Photograph #3 Henry at the grave of Mookhudin Murdinov
Photograph #4 With the Umurdinov Brothers at the school where their father is honored.
Photograph #5 The Umurdinov Family praying at the grave.
Photograph #6 Umurdinov during the Great Patriotic War.
Photograph #7 Umurdinov and his wife during the Great Patriotic War.
Photograph #8 Umurdinov and his wife after many years of marriage.
Photograph #9 Where the story began.

.jpg   umurdinov.jpg (Size: 7.09 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   Umurdinov 5-10-09b.jpg (Size: 125.25 KB / Downloads: 23)

.jpg   Henry with Umurdinov.jpg (Size: 80.97 KB / Downloads: 32)

.jpg   Henry with Umurdinov Family.jpg (Size: 124.99 KB / Downloads: 27)

.jpg   P6140128.jpg (Size: 123.15 KB / Downloads: 29)

.jpg   P6140155.jpg (Size: 64.89 KB / Downloads: 28)

.jpg   Mookhudin Umurdinov with wife.jpg (Size: 55.09 KB / Downloads: 21)

.jpg   Combined1.jpg (Size: 84.94 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   medal&booklet.jpg (Size: 18.37 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]> Mookhudin Umurdinov, Uzbek Hero Of The Soviet Union and here - Stolen And Returned, The Journey Of A Hero Star.

I WAS A GUEST OF THE HERO’S FAMILY
By Henry Sakaida

It was almost 14 years ago that I returned a great family heirloom to an Uzbek family via the US Embassy. On 1 August 2002, Mr. Rakhmatzon Umurdinov received his father’s Hero of the Soviet Union medal at the Uzbek National Military Museum in Tashkent.

Ever since the Umurdinovs received the medal back, they had been asking me for years to come and visit them. I had been reluctant to go since we had been heavily involved in Afghanistan, which Uzbekistan borders. I was afraid of the anti-American sentiments. But finally in September 2013, I decided to go. I went online to learn as much as I could about the country, and bought a Lonely Planet Guide to Uzbekistan.

When I touched down in Tashkent, I was greeted by Rakhmatzon and his friend Isroil. His friend spoke excellent English and became our translator. It seemed like Rakhmatzon and I were old friends; we had exchanged many letters and family snapshots over the years. They had driven the 7 hours from Fergana Valley to the capital city. I was surprised to see that Tashkent was a bustling, ultra-modern city.

While in Tashkent, I contacted Paul Schmitt, the co-author of The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals with Paul McDaniel. Paul was working at the American Embassy. It was finally nice to meet him in person. The following day, he took me to the local bazaar (much like our swap meet). All the dealers knew him and what his interests were. We didn’t see any high orders and medals, only the common stuff. “Once in a while, I’ll find something worth buying!” said Paul.

“Tashkent is completely safe!” Paul assured me. He never had to worry about his two teen daughters going out. They have bus passes and they go all over the city on their own. Communication is no problem since they spoke fluent Russian. In fact, Paul told me that he felt his girls were more safer in Tashkent than in the US! After that, I never worried about safety.

A few days later, we arrived in Boyiston Village in Fergana Valley. Fergana is a very fertile farming region. Here, you could see cars and donkey carts sharing the roads. All the women wore brightly colored dresses. Women did not wear bluejeans and T-shirts like they do in the US. If they did, they were foreign tourists or ultra modern Uzbek women. My host explained to me that they were Muslims, but not like those who prayed five times a day. Basically, Uzbeks are very low key about it, just like people here in the US. Uzbekistan had once been a part of the Soviet Union, and the authorities suppressed religion during that era.

Boyiston Village is old, with a population of 2,000. The Umurdinovs invited me into their home. Uzbek hospitality is just as severe as Ukrainian and Russian hospitality! The country is known for their wide variety of fruits. I think I was the first American visitor to their village.

One thing to know about Uzbekistan: I had to register at the hotel where I stayed. I could not stay with my hosts. It’s this old Soviet style mentality toward foreigners. I was required to keep a daily receipt from the hotel, which I would have to show at passport control in order to leave.

The following day, I went with Rakhmatzon and his son, and his older brother, and friends to visit the grave of their father, one of the 69 Uzbeks to become a Hero of the Soviet Union. I placed flowers on his grave and had my photo taken. Now my story was complete.

Rakhmatzon told me an interesting story. His father’s Hero medal had been lost three times! The first time was when he accompanied his father to market. They crossed a stream and when they arrived at the market, his dad’s medal was gone! They backtracked and eventually found the medal where it was dropped.

The second time the medal was lost was when, after his father died, a local man asked my host to loan it to him. His friend started a Martial Arts studio and wanted to display the medal in his dojo to inspire his students.
After a while, when Rakhmatzon visited the studio, it was boarded up! His friend’s business had failed and he moved to Moscow without telling him.
Luckily, Rakhmatzon was able to locate him after a long time; he returned, and brought back his father’s Hero medal.

The third time, the village flooded during a violent rain storm. The family had to evacuate. When they returned a few days later, their home had been ransacked, and the medal was gone. They kissed the medal goodbye. “It was gone forever!” said Rakhmatzon. Then he received my letter and you know the rest of the story.

With the return of the medal, the Umurdinov local lore was established.
Sgt. Mookhudin Umurdinov, a former radioman during the war, returned to his village. To modernize the community, he worked hard to wire the village for electricity, and worked as chairman of the local collective farm. He was great revered. “He was such a great man,” says the legend, “that Allah brought home his Hero medal!” Sounds great to me!

What was my impression of Uzbekistan? The people there are genuinely curious about Americans! Their government is spending a lot to tear down the old Soviet style apartments and replacing them with modern ones. Their major roads are just as good as the ones we have here. They have great restaurants and great food!

Photograph #1 Rakhmatzon Umurdinov and me. At parties and gatherings, males and females eat separately.
Photograph #2 Henry with the Umurdinov family.
Photograph #3 Henry at the grave of Mookhudin Murdinov
Photograph #4 With the Umurdinov Brothers at the school where their father is honored.
Photograph #5 The Umurdinov Family praying at the grave.
Photograph #6 Umurdinov during the Great Patriotic War.
Photograph #7 Umurdinov and his wife during the Great Patriotic War.
Photograph #8 Umurdinov and his wife after many years of marriage.
Photograph #9 Where the story began.

.jpg   umurdinov.jpg (Size: 7.09 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   Umurdinov 5-10-09b.jpg (Size: 125.25 KB / Downloads: 23)

.jpg   Henry with Umurdinov.jpg (Size: 80.97 KB / Downloads: 32)

.jpg   Henry with Umurdinov Family.jpg (Size: 124.99 KB / Downloads: 27)

.jpg   P6140128.jpg (Size: 123.15 KB / Downloads: 29)

.jpg   P6140155.jpg (Size: 64.89 KB / Downloads: 28)

.jpg   Mookhudin Umurdinov with wife.jpg (Size: 55.09 KB / Downloads: 21)

.jpg   Combined1.jpg (Size: 84.94 KB / Downloads: 26)

.jpg   medal&booklet.jpg (Size: 18.37 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]> <![CDATA[How To Submit A Collector's Story.]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-How-To-Submit-A-Collector-s-Story Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:38:42 +0000 CtahhR]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-How-To-Submit-A-Collector-s-Story
The story doesn't have to be a big budget, Hollywood action, international saga with Indiana Jones' hat and whip but an interesting anecdote for the rest of the community to enjoy.

Almost any type of collecting story will be entertained, it doesn't have to be about Hero Stars, Cosmonauts or even about anything from the Soviet Union - The forum covers a lot more than the USSR.

Don't be shy, as fortune favours the bold - who dares wins!]]>
The story doesn't have to be a big budget, Hollywood action, international saga with Indiana Jones' hat and whip but an interesting anecdote for the rest of the community to enjoy.

Almost any type of collecting story will be entertained, it doesn't have to be about Hero Stars, Cosmonauts or even about anything from the Soviet Union - The forum covers a lot more than the USSR.

Don't be shy, as fortune favours the bold - who dares wins!]]>