Order of the Red Star, #479772, Sniper, 585th Rifle Regiment, 130th Rifle Division

[Bill Garvy]

Award Card

Order Booklet A 422184

1. Last name: Artemova
2. Name and patrionymic: Lidiya Vasilevna
3. Rank: Reserve Private
4. Gender: Female
5. Birthyear: 1918
6. Birthplace: Tambov Oblast, Staro-Yureven. Region, village of (?)zinets
7. Party membership: since 1944
8. Education: mid-level
9. Nationality: Russian
10. Time in Red Army: 11.1942-5.1944
11. Place of service at awarding: Sniper – 585th Rifle Regiment, 130th Rifle Division, 5th Shock Army
12. Place of work at present: unemployed
13. Home address: Leningrad, B. Gushkarskaya St., Bldg. 8, Apt. 12

14. Awards:
Designation/Serial Number/Awarding Organization

Red Star 479.772 130th Rifle Division dated 3.02.1944

Verified by Petrograd Regional Military Commissariat Colonel Ribnikin on 16th October, 1946

 

Unit Award Order

SECRET

[trans: “4 Ukrainian Front 29.4.44” and other administrative data written in pencil]

130th Taganrog Red Banner Rifle Division, 4th Ukrainian Front Order 03/N dated 3rd February, 1944

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:

1. Private Lidiya Vasilevna Artemova – Sniper, 1st Rifle Battalion, 528th Rifle Regiment

Signed Commander, 130th Taganrog Red Banner Rifle Division, Colonel Sychev

3 Copies
1- Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR
2- Peoples Commissariat of Defense Main Personnel Directorate
3- On file

 

Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Artemova, Lidiya Vasilevna
2. Rank: Private
3. Duty position: Sniper – 1st Rifle Battalion, 528th Rifle Regiment , 130th Taganrog Red Banner Rifle Division
Recommendation for the Order of the Red Star
4. Born: 1918
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: n/a
7. Previous combat: since February, 1942 on the Southern Front
8. Wounds or shell-shock: wounded twice
9. In Red Army: since February, 1942
10. Inducted by: voluntarily at the Michurinsk Regional Military Commissariat, Tambov Oblast
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment

She has been a participant of offensive operations from the Mius river to the enemy fortified area on the Molochnei river. Continuously situated in the fighting formations of attacking small units, Sniper Artemova in August and September 1942 alone had to her record two destroyed enemy soldier and officers.

In fighting for Kulikovo, Pesmanii, and Voroshilovskii she exhibited examples of personal boldness and bravery, motivating soldiers to the attack by her examples. In the engagement for Voroshilovskii she was wounded the first time, but did not abandon her post. Upon accomplishment of her combat mission she received her second wound near Zelenii Lug.

She is a true patriot of her Motherland, and frontline soldier-young lady Artemova is deserving of the Order of the Red Star.

Signed Commander, 275th Guards Destroyer Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Temakov on 17th January, 1945

Endorsed Commander, 528th Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Bokarev on 30th January, 1944

Endorsed Commander, 130th Taganrog Red Banner Rifle Division, Colonel Sychev on 3rd February, 1944

Awarded the Order of the Red Star by 130th Taganrog Red Banner Rifle Division Order 03/N dated 3rd February, 1944. Signed Division 4th Section Chief Major of Administrative Services Belii

 

Private Lidiya Vasilevna Artemova's Order of the Red Star, #479772.

 

[Paul R]

This is the first sniper award I've seen.  And to a female as well.  Great score Bill.  Did you buy this as a random star or already researched?

[Bill Garvy]

It was in a batch of Red Stars I purchased some time ago, and I guess I got lucky; quite a feat for a man my age, ahem...

[Egorka]

Interesting. Good find, Bill!

Some extra information could be interesting. It appears ARTEMOVA was wounded second time at the very end of November 1943. she was in the hospital for the next 4 moths until end of March 1944, when she was released with "not fit for active service" verdict. She was a teacher (Secondary school #10, Leningrad), married (to Daniil Ivanovich), and from Leningrad. She volunteered for military service in 1942 in Tambov district, so this means she managed to evacuate from the besieged Leningrad.

This is her release form after hospital. Blue crayon is the "not fit for active service" resolution, so it looks like she was not lightely wounded. Also it appears she was wounded back in April 1943 and in October 1943. But we know from citation, that in October she was wounded twice. So she was actually wounded at least 3 times during her service.

 

The locations of actions in October 1943. 

Edited January 5, 2017 by Egorka

[Paul R]

Damn Bill.  I want you with me if I pick lottery numbers.   This is awesome.  Egorka, thank you for this added history!  I am amazed at how these items can recreate someones military career.... way more than a random Iron Cross.