Mondvor

And the last paper from his Personal File. Not from the Army though, but from a civil job. He was working as a "зубострогальщик" 5th class (I have no idea what it means, sounds like something related to metal processing and handling) on a railway car repair factory.

Here is his final paper from Soviet Army. It says that Lt. Colonel Ivanov retired from active duty to reserve, but in case of war he could be called up again and could be used on a position of the Head of Strategical Department of Air Division Headquarters.

Here is a document from personal file of HSU pilot mentioned above. This document is a regular certification of an officer. Each active officer in Red Army went through a procedure of certification every three or four years. Main aim of certification was to determine if a person correspond to the position that he occupies.

Alfred, this stamp says 267 Батальон Аэродромного Обслуживания - that means 267 Airfield Service Batallion. This is a special unit that was provide technical and service cover for the aircrafts based on this airfield. During 2nd World War in Red Army were more than 800 of those units.

We have an anecdote (a joke) about Poltitcal Officers. Once upon a time a Political Officer made a reprimand (reproof) to a soldier who was a radar set operator. This reproof was about the operator left his working place for lunch and didn't clean it up before leaving. The soldier replied - "I'm sorry about that, I didn't have much time. I wish to be like you! You close your mouth and working place is cleaned".

Well, the job in the post-office is not the worst that could happen with the officer after retirement. I have some documents of HSU fighter pilot. His last position before retirement was a Head of Command Control center of Air Force Fighter Division in the rank of Lt. Colonel. Few month later he worked as a metal turner (tool maker) in a factory If somebody interested I can post those papers from his personal files.

Very nice group, Alfred! Thanks for sharing with us. Could you post the pictures of original award registration card? Rick, couple of words about Ukazes of April 20, 1953 and December 30, 1956. Red Banners and Red Stars were awarded in according with both of those Ukazes. The earliest Red Star that I know for April 20, 1953 is 3097934, the latest is 3103550. The earliest Red Star that I know for December 30, 1956 is 3403453, the latest is 3533041. Same story for Red Banner. For April 20, 1953 I found earliest as 388681 and the latest as 392742. For December 30, 1956 the numbers are 491977 and 528700 respectively.

More pages.

Here is his early Officer ID ? pretty interesting document. It shows that in Jan. 1942 he was a political commissar of 2nd battery in Independent Mortar Divizion of 291st Rifle Division, Leningrad Front.

Long service Red Star - reverse.

Long service Red Star - obverse.

Rodionov's long service Military Merit medal.

From his service list we can see that after the war he served as Personnel Section Senior Instructor of Political Department of 10th Guard Army in Leningrad Military District (April ? October 1947), the Head of Political Department Assistant in Kiev Military District (1947-1956) and finally as a Head of Political Department in Kiev Military Medical School (1956-1958). On October 1, 1958 he was retired.

Rodionov?s personal service card. He was promoted first to Politruk (political military rank equal to Lieutenant), than in April 1942 he received a rank of Sr. Politruk (Sr. Lieutenant). Same year he got a Captain - in November 1942. And in only nine month another promotion to Major ? in August 1943. What a huge start? But his next rank of Lt. Colonel he received only in June 1946. And finally he was promoted to Colonel in April 1951. From Lieutenant to Colonel in 10 years. WOW!!! Maybe I should join the Army? Also we can see that he finished a Military Political Academy in 1953.

GPW 1st class reverse.

GPW 1st class.

Military order for GPW 1st class.

He was awarded with Patriotic War 1st class not for of particular feat, but as a summary of his previous merits (typical situation for a political officer). Citation describes his participation in 1941-42 battles as a mortar battery commissar, his excellent work as a Head of Personnel Section since 1943, his huge work for replacement of all killed and wounded political officers during offensive on Karelian Isthmus. Citation especially accentuates his role in providing continuous and uninterrupted political education to junior officers and his role in strengthening Communist morality among the troops. Blah, blah, blah? Lots of rubbish? As for me, he deserves a Military Merit for all of that, not a Patriotic War. But in according with the rules political officer should be highly decorated. The citation signed by Head of Poltitcal Department of 23rd Army ? Guards Colonel Stepchenko.

GPW 2nd class reverse.

GPW 2nd class.

Military order for GPW 2nd class.

He was awarded with Patriotic War 2nd class for the actions during 23rd Army offensive operations. At this time Rodionov as a Head of Personnel Section provided swift and effective replacement of all killed and wounded political officers by a new people, coming from reserve. The citation signed by Head of Poltitcal Department of 23rd Army ? Guards Colonel Stepchenko.

Red Star 218294 reverse.

Red Star 218294.

Military order for Red Star award.