Soviet Group-Cook-Cool

[Aurelius]

Thanks again to Auke. This is my most prized group.

In case you are wondering, I'm too lazy to post pics. As for authenication, I only buy from repuable sellers after being burnt with fakes years ago.

Award sheet

1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich

2. Rank: Guards Senior Sergeant

3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Headquarters Company of the 20^th Guards Iaşi
Tank Brigade

Nominated for: Medal for Courage

4. Year of birth: January 25, 1916

5. Nationality: Georgian

6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since 1942

7. Participation in the Civil War and the
following combat actions for the defense of the USSR (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War
since 1941 on the Western, Voronezh, and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd
Ukrainian Front

8. Wounds and contusions received during
the Patriotic War: Lightly wounded on
June 1, 1941

9. Since when in the Red Army: September 25, 1939

10. Drafted by which military commissariat:
Military Commissariat of the Leningor
Raion, South Ossetian Oblast

11. Awards received previously (for which
merits): Order of the Red Star by Order
of the 20^th Guards Tank Brigade of October 4, 1944

12. Permanent home address (of theprospective awardee or his family): ______________

Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits:

During the brigade’s combat actions since March 10, 1945, comrade Gamkhitashvili, serving as senior cook, showed a conscientious attitude toward the duties assigned to him. He devoted a lot of efforts to
preparing good-quality food for the men. He personally visits the front line to feed the men.

On March 23, 1945, near Mesechka, city of Devecser, the enemy fired at the observation post with artillery and mortars, making food deliveries impossible. Comrade Gamkhitashvili took a thermos and with a group of soldiers he found his way to the observation post unharmed using a hidden path, feeding all men in time.

For valor and courage he deserves the Medal for Courage.

Commander of the Headquarters Company of the 20^th Guards Tank Brigade

Guards Lieutenant-Technician [signed] /Pichushkin/

March 31, 1945

Award sheet

1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich

2. Rank: Guards Sergeant

3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Technical Support Company of the 20^th Guards Tank Brigade

Nominated for: Order of the Red Star

4. Year of birth: January 25, 1916

5. Nationality: Georgian

6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since October 1942

7. Participation in the Civil War and the
following combat actions for the defense of the USSR (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War since June 22, 1941 on the Southwestern, Stalingrad, Don, Bryansk, Voronezh, 1^st Ukrainian, and 2^nd Ukrainian Front

8. Wounds and contusions received during
the Patriotic War: No

9. Since when in the Red Army: Since September 25, 1939

10. Drafted by which military commissariat:
Military Commissariat of the LeningorRaion, South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast

11. Awards received previously (for which
merits): Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad

12. Permanent home address (of the prospective awardee or his family): ______________

Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits:

During the brigade’s period of combat actions during the Great Patriotic War, Guards Sergeant Gamkhitashvili uses all his skills to prepare tasty, high-quality food. Serving as senior cook, he provided all men of the company with hot and tasty food, disregarding the time of day and his fatigue and regardless of the circumstances.

For his zealous and conscientious devotion to his duties, Guards Sergeant Gamkhitashvili deserves the Order of the Red Star.

Award sheet

1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich

2. Rank: Guards Senior Sergeant

3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Headquarters Company of the 20^th Guards Iaşi Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Tank Brigade

Nominated for: Order of Glory, 3^rd Class

4. Year of birth: 1916

5. Nationality: Georgian

6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since 1942

7. Participation in the Civil War, the
following combat actions for the defense of the USSR and the Patriotic War (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War since July 1941

8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: No

9. Since when in the Red Army: Since 1939

10. Drafted by which military commissariat:
Military Commissariat of the Leningor Raion, South Ossetian Oblast

11. Awards received previously (for which
merits): Order of the Red Star by Order nr. 014/N of October 1, 1944 and Medal for Courage by Order nr. 06/N of April 15, 1945

12. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee and the address of his family: ______________

Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits:

During the period of combat actions against the Japanese invaders since August 9, 1945, comrade Gamkhitashvili was always active among the foremost units. Crossing desolate dry riverbeds, day and night
he showed great concern for the men and for the preparation of hot food, regardless of the time of day. During the march he showed personal initiative. He delivered food products to the men near Bolshoi Khshpai. Day and night, regardless of the time of day, he carried out all orders from the commanders.

For overcoming all difficulties, comrade Gamkhitashvili deserves the Order of Glory, 3^rd Class.

[Rogi]

Wow, thats better than any Michelin Star

He must of prepared some fantastic food for those honors, What great citations

[Aurelius]

Wow, thats better than any Michelin Star

He must of prepared some fantastic food for those honors, What great citations

Agreed, this is one guy that everyone likely wanted to keep safe.

[Paul R]

oIs there a way that could please ask you to post the photos? I would love to see this great grouping!

[Aurelius]

Ok, for Mr. PR.

[Paul R]

Thank you Mr AR! :-) That is one highly decorated cook.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Wasnt Steven Segal "just a cook" in the movie on the boat? :-)

[Aurelius]

The thing about this group is the dude received 3 combat awards. Not valuable monetarily but just rare for a cook to be receive these.

Ya man, maybe this fella was Segal's uncle.

[IrishGunner]

I bet no one ever told him his borscht tastes terrible!

[redoctober]

Brilliant!

What a great set of citations. The beauty of research!