Russian Federation Medal of Colonel General Pickalov

[TacHel]

Instituted in 2006 by Decree of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. Awarded to soldiers and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as other citizens of the Russian Federation, for providing assistance in solving the tasks entrusted to the federal government in the field of chemical disarmament. This smaller 4 corner mount is for award to civilians and veterans.

Edited March 20, 2009 by Paul R

[TacHel]

Award document for the award bestowed upon veterans and civilians.

[TacHel]

BIO

Colonel-General Vladimir Karpovich Pickalov - Head of chemical troops of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR.

Born September 15, 1924 in the town of Armavir, Krasnodar.

Joined the Red Army in June 1941. Graduated from the Rostov Artillery School In February 1942. But even while in school, took part in the battles in the approaches to Rostov in October and November 1941. Sent to the front immediately upon graduation, he fought in the West, Don, Stalingrad, steppes, and on the Belorussian fronts. Took part in the battles of Moscow, Voronezh, Stalingrad and Kursk.

He held multiple leadership positions as platoon commander, deputy commander and then commander of an artillery battery, intelligence officer in a heavy artillery regiment. He was wounded several times, including seriously in March 1945 and he spent Victory day in the hospital. For his bravery at the front he was awarded two orders and several medals.

After the war he was transferred to the chemical forces. In 1952 he graduated from the Military Academy for Chemical Defense. He served in the position of Chief of a Motorized Division in the Chemical Service. 1954, appointed senior officer for training at the district headquarters. 1960, appointed deputy head, and since 1962, Chief of Chemical Troops of the Baltic Military District. Promoted to major general in 1965

In 1968 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1968-1969 he served as Deputy Chief of the Military Academy for Chemical Defense. In 1969 he was appointed Chief of Chemical Troops of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR.

In over 19 years of service in this post he has proven to be a proactive and decisive leader. Responsible for the design, testing and procurement of new equipment and weapons. His strong point lay in his ability to delegate to subordinates to assume full responsibility for any new business and close relationship with science and industry; this greatly shortened the time span to introduce the newest developments. Promoted to Lieutenant General in 1970 and to Colonel General in 1975.

The most difficult and heroic page in the biography of General Pickalov is during the Chernobyl disaster. He received the news of the tragedy at 7 am, 26 April 1986, at noon he was already on the scene setting up a temporary command post. He immediately and personally began checking for radiation in an extensive area until suitably equipped troops could arrive.

His work enabled the first chemical troops on the scene to begin their work immediately. He remained on scene until mid May, by now half blind making many trips to Moscow to brief the government.

By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 24, 1986 for great personal contribution in carrying out work in the area of the Chernobyl accident and limiting its effects, for demonstrated courage and heroism, Colonel-General Vladimir Karpovich Pikalov has been awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order Lenin.

In early 1989, appointed as an inspector in the Group of the Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR. Retired in 1992, however, continued to participate actively in the work of chemical troops, patriotic events and veteran work. Died 29 March 2003.

Edited March 20, 2009 by TacHel