Soviet Lt. Gen. Marek Karakoz

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

Lt. Gen. Marek Karakoz (right), a rather unknown figure, in WWII he was a deputy commanding officer of the 1st Polish (People's) Army. He came back to the Soviet Union in 1946 and continued service in the Soviet Army. I have found a photo of his at a meeting with former Polish Armed Forces soldiers, said to be taken in 1979.

I have tried to identify Gen. Karakoz ribbons. I am not sure of all, maybe somebody has information about his honours:

1. O. of Lenin, O. of the Red Banner (x3),

2. O. of Suvorov 1st Class or O. of Kutuzov 1st Class (?), O. of the Patriotic War 1st Class or O. of the Red Star (?), M. f. War Merit (?), M. 20th Anniversary of the Red Army,

3. M. 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birthday, M. Defence of the Caucasus (?), M. Victory Over Germany, M. 20th Anniversary of Victory,

4. M. f. Capture of Berlin, M. f. Liberation of Warsaw (?), M. 30th Anniversary of Soviet Army and Navy, M. 50th Anniversary of the Armed Services,

5. Gold Cross of Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari, Order Polonia Restituta (class ?),

6. Medal Victory & Freedom, Warsaw M., Oder Neisse & Baltic M.,

7. M. f. Participation in the Struggle for Berlin.

Unfortunately the ribbons of many Soviet orders and medals were designed in such a way that it is not possible to identify them on b-w photos. Additionally, in the USSR ribbons of foreign awards were worn without devices to identify the class.

Can somebody recognize the other persons on the photo?

[Ferdinand]

I don't entirely agree with your analysis... I'd say:

1: Lenin - 3 x Red Banner

2: Suvorov 1st? / Khmelnitsky 1st? - Red Star - Combat Merits Medal? - 20 Years RKKA?

3: ? - Defense of the Caucasus? - Victory over Germany - ?

4: Capture of Berlin - And the rest seems to be non-Soviet.

The colors for the Lenin Centeniary, Liberation of Warsaw, 30 Years of Soviet Army and Navy, and 50 Years of Armed Forces, and the pattern on the 20 Years of Victory wouldn't match.

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

OK, I have found a reliable source of information on Gen. Karakoz honours and I am now able to ID all of his ribbons. They are as follows:

1. O. of Lenin, O. of the Red Banner (x3),

2. O. of Kutuzov 1st Class, O. of the Red Star, M. f. War Merit, M. 20 Years RKKA,

3. M. 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birthday, M. Defence of the Caucasus, M. Victory Over Germany, M. 20th Anniversary of Victory,

4. M. f. Capture of Berlin, M. f. Liberation of Warsaw, M. 30th Anniversary of Soviet Army and Navy, M. 50th Anniversary of the Armed Services,

5. Gold Cross of Virtuti Militari (Poland), Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari, Gold Cross of Merit (Poland),

6. Medal Victory & Freedom, Warsaw M., Oder Neisse & Baltic M.,

7. M. f. Participation in the Struggle for Berlin.

The medal below the ribbons is the Polish Guard of Peace Medal, intended exclusively for Soviet military.