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    U.S. Army Decorations Awarded to Red Army Personnel in World War II


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    Gents,

      On June 15th, 1945, in the vicinity of the Oder River, U.S. Army Brigadier General J. H. Collier, Commanding General, Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division decorated several Red Army personnel.  Among them were Senior Lieutenant I. A. Savelyev a tank company commander in the 4th Tank Regiment, 35th Mechanized Brigade, 2nd Guards Tank Army and Guards Senior Lieutenant R. Kurbangaliyev a T-34 tank platoon leader in the 64th Guards Independent Tank Brigade, 1st Guards Tank Army who each received the Bronze Star Medal.

      As noted earlier in this thread, an exact count of Bronze Star Medals awarded to Red Army personnel is difficult to ascertain as many were issued at the field level in the immediate post-war weeks and months.  This award ceremony is one such example. 

      Sr. Lt. Savelyev's award orders follow immediately below his photograph.  His orders are a good example of how the paperwork for these field-issued U.S. Army awards was executed.  Note the short citation which justifies his award.  It is highly unlikely that BSM award certificates were issued either during the field presentations or after the fact.  The authorizing award orders would have been the sole official paperwork accompanying the award in the case of BSMs. 

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    BG Collier.jpg

     

    BG Collier 1.jpg

    BG Collier 2.jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2006 at 08:11, slava1stclass said:

    HSU A.P. Voloshin was one of the 119 Red Army personnel awarded the U.S. Army Silver Star during World War II/the Great Patriotic War.  It is clearly visible in the below photo.  For the majority of the war, Voloshin served as a Battery Commander in the 271st Rifle Regiment, 10th NKVD Rifle Division (later redesignated the 18th Stalingrad NKVD Rifle Division). He was wounded five times during the course of the war.

    Approved for award of the Silver Star on 12 July 1944, he was personally decorated by President Roosevelt's Special Advisor, Harry Hopkins, in the Sverdlovsk Room of the Kremlin in October 1944.  Averill Harriman as the U.S. Ambassador to the USSR; the U.S. Defense Attache, Moscow as well as Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Gorkin, were among those who attended the ceremony.

    Voloshin would later march in the 24 June 1945 Victory Parade in Moscow where he carried the unit colors of the Moscow Artillery Academy.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    voloshin_ap.jpg

    Gents,

      Almost 69 years after receiving his Silver Star, HSU A. P. Voloshin still proudly wears it next to his HSU gold star medal.  The fact that he wears just these two decorations is a statement in itself. 

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Voloshin a.jpg

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    • 3 months later...

    Gents,

      HSU Guards Colonel Vasiliy F. Orlov seen wearing the Legion of Merit in the degree of Officer which he was awarded in 1944.  He commanded 6th Guards Mechanized Corps, 4th Guards Tank Army, 1st Ukrainian Front.  Severely wounded in action on March, 17, 1945, he died the next day.  He was posthumously awarded the HSU title on April 6, 1945.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Orlov, V. F..jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    • 2 weeks later...
    • 2 months later...

    Gents,

      This Legion of Merit paperwork as well as the officer's three Orders of the Red Banner and Legion of Merit decoration are currently available on the well-known auction site.  BIN price:  $14,999.99.

      Guards Colonel Sergey N. Demennikov was the Deputy Commander, 120th Guards Rifle Division.  Note the two incorrect spellings of his surname on the award paperwork. 

      He was awarded eight Soviet military orders for his wartime service:  three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Suvorov Third Class, the Order of Aleksandr Nevskiy, the Order of the Patriotic War First Class and two Orders of the Red Star.   

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Demennikov, Sergey N..jpg

    Demennikov, Sergey N. 2.jpg

    Demennikov, Sergey N. 3.jpg

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    • 2 months later...
    On ‎9‎/‎6‎/‎2012 at 13:06, slava1stclass said:

    Gents,

    While not a decoration per se, this is the first time I've ever encountered an immediate post-war image of a Red Army soldier wearing U.S. Army airborne wings.

    We know U.S. Army personnel were awarded Red Army Guards badges at war's end. We now have evidence of a Red Army officer wearing U.S. Army jump wings.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Abn a.jpg

     

    On ‎10‎/‎2‎/‎2012 at 16:23, slava1stclass said:

    Gents,

    A second image (albeit blurrier) of the same officer/jump wings (post # 117 above) from a different angle.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Abn b.jpg

    Gents,

      This excellent photograph is currently available on the well-known auction site.  It is the best resolution copy I've seen thus far.  As a result, we now know our unidentified Soviet officer wearing U.S. Army jump wings (first mentioned above), was also awarded a United States Army Bronze Star Medal (the ribbon immediately above the jump wings). 

      The presentation ceremony occurred on May 12th, 1945, at the airport/airfield in Linz, Austria. Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Division provided the honor guard.  General Patton presented Lt Gen N. D. Zakhvatayev, Commander, 4th Guards Army, with the Legion of Merit (LM) in the degree of Commander.  He also presented lower degree LMs to 12 other Red Army personnel. There is also a report Patton awarded some Bronze Star Medals to Red Army personnel that day.  It is unclear whether the Soviet officer wearing the ribbon for the Bronze Star Medal above the U.S. Army jump wings was one of them. 

    Regards,

    slava1stclassJump Wings - BSMa.jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    Another cavalier of US Legion of Merits order, degree Commander, was Soviet Army Lt. General Vladimir Stepanovich KUZNETSOV (1898-1979). He was a commander of the 40 Rifle Corps.

    i_854.jpg

    Unfortunately I couldn't locate his portrait with his US decoration on... But I have something interesting too.

    The memorandum sent from HQ of US XIII Corps to their Soviet counterparts explaining the award procedure and information request to prepare citations for the Soviet Army personnel from soviet 40 Rifle Corps (17 may 1945).

    memorandum_HQ_13Corps_US_army_17may1945.jpg.25b5fa5c804d57c8472693122e83e612.jpg

    Prior to this on 16 May, Lt.Gen. KUZNETSOV was to diner with the commander of 102d Rifle Division Mj.Gen Frank. A. Keating.

    invitation_129InfDiv_US_army_11may1945.jpg.684582549278ddb2e421048b28cfeb4e.jpg

    Edited by Egorka
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    • 2 months later...
    On ‎7‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 22:09, Liopa said:

     

    Gents,

      Thanks to Liopa for posting. 

      More accurately, the award ceremony involved a U.S. Army brigadier general from the 11th Armored Division presenting the awards to the Soviets.  After a bit of research, this is what is depicted: 

    "American Generals Discuss Boundaries, Austria, May 12, 1945.  U.S. Brigadier General Holmes Dager of the 11th Armored Division meets Lieutenant General Rubanyuk (Иван Андреевич Рубанюк), Commanding General, 10th Guards Rifle Corps, 46th Army, 4th Ukrainian Front and discusses boundaries and future plans.  General Dager presents the Legion of Merit and Silver Star to the Russian general and his staff." 

      At war's end, the 11th Armored Division was in the vicinity of Linz, Austria.  

      Judging from the video, the lieutenant from the 101st Airborne Division was detailed to serve as the official interpreter that day.  The sharp eyed among you will have also noted he wears the Soviet Guards badge on his right breast pocket which was likely awarded at an earlier time.  Based on their shoulder patches, the other U.S. Army officers in the video were assigned to the armored division .  

      It was also interesting to note the Soviets received the decorations' award cases at the end of the ceremony.

      Dager retired from active service in 1947 as a Major General.  His final assignment was as Commanding General, U.S. Forces, Austria.  Highly decorated for valor, numbering among Dager's awards were the: 

    Distinguished Service Cross
    Distinguished Service Medal
    Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
    Legion of Merit
    Bronze Star Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
    World War I Victory Medal
    American Defense Service Medal
    American Campaign Service Medal
    European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
    World War II Victory Medal
    Presidential Unit Citation

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    MG Holmes E. Dager.jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    • 3 months later...

    Gents,

      An extremely crisp image of the U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal awarded to Guards Captain V. P. Kuzyukov.  During the war, Kuzyukov commanded the 101st Guards Independent Reconnaissance Company assigned to the 98th Guards Rifle Division.  The division participated in the Vienna and Prague operations and was subordinate to the 3rd Ukrainian Front.  Kuzyukov's Bronze Star Medal likely resulted from a reciprocal field award presentation as U.S. and Soviet forces linked up in Czechoslovakia at war's end.

    Kozyukhov's sole Soviet decoration was the OPWII.  At the time this photograph was taken (August 1946), the 98th Guards Rifle Division had converted to/been redesignated the 98th Guards Airborne Division.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

     

    Kuzyukov, V. P..jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    • 4 weeks later...

    Gents,

      These two images are from a set of 15 photographs currently for sale on the well-known auction site.  They depict a reciprocal award ceremony and reception involving the United States Army 80th Infantry Division and an unidentified Soviet unit in Liezen, Austria in mid-May 1945.

      The first image depicts two Soviet officers at the post-award ceremony reception who had been awarded the U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal.

      The second image is a first for me.  The Soviet female lieutenant wears the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge below her Bravery Medal.  Clearly this resulted from a soldier-to-soldier token badge swap and was not officially awarded.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    2 BSMs.jpg

    CIB a.jpg

    Edited by slava1stclass
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    • 3 weeks later...
    On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 15:51, slava1stclass said:

    Gents,

      The presentation ceremony occurred on May 12, 1945, at the airport/airfield in Linz, Austria. Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Division provided the honor guard.  General Patton presented Lt Gen N. D. Zakhvatayev, Commander, 4th Guards Army, with the Legion of Merit (LM) in the degree of Commander.  He also presented lower degree LMs to 12 other Red Army personnel. There is also a report Patton awarded some Bronze Star Medals to Red Army personnel that day.

    Regards,

    slava1stclassJump Wings - BSMa.jpg

    Gents,

      Another great photograph from the May 12, 1945, award ceremony - it's the first time I've seen this image.  In this picture, GEN Patton presents Lt Gen Zakhvatayev with a U.S Third Army unit flag.  This photograph recently sold on the well-known auction site for $49.95.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    GEN Patton - Lt Gen Zakhvatayev.jpg

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    • 1 year later...

    Gents,

    Chanyshev Yakub Dzhangirovich_Чанышев Якуб Джангирович, 

    Commander of the 96th Rifle Corps, Legion of Merit, degree Commander

    Regards

    Yuryy

    PS - https://ru-wiki.ru/wiki/Проект:Награды/Списки/Советские_кавалеры_ордена_«Легион_почёта»

    Чанышев Якуб Джангирович с Легионом почета степень командующий.jpg

    Edited by georg2013
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    • 5 months later...
    On 27/10/2014 at 09:06, slava1stclass said:

    Gents,

    I finally got around to analyzing NavyFCO's earlier excellent primary research contributions.  Here are the breakouts by award dates:

    June 22nd, 1943 U.S. Military Awards Presentation at AMEMBASSY Moscow:

    Distinguished Service Cross - 20 presented

    Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) - 20 presented

    Navy Cross - 10 presented

    Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Navy) - 10 presented

    August 22nd, 1944 U.S. Military Awards Presentation at AMEMBASSY Moscow:

    Distinguished Service Cross - 25 presented

    Distinguished Flying Cross - 25 presented

    Silver Star - 50 presented

    Legion of Merit (Commander) - 25

    Legion of Merit (Officer) - 30

    Legion of Merit (Legionnaire) - 40

    A few observations. These two presentation ceremonies accounted for 45 of the 53 known DSC awards to Red Army personnel; all of the known U.S. Army DSM awards (20); roughly half (10) of the 22 known U.S. Navy DSM awards; and slightly under half (50) of the 119 known Silver Star awards.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    Gents,

      In cross-checking the recipients' names in the August 22, 1944, Pravda article against U.S. Army records, I detected a major error.  The Red Army personnel listed as having been awarded the Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire were in fact awarded the Silver Star.  That said, the above original post is amended as follows:

    August 22nd, 1944, U.S. Military Awards Presentation at AMEMBASSY Moscow:

    Distinguished Service Cross - 25 presented

    Distinguished Flying Cross - 25 presented

    Silver Star - 90 presented

    Legion of Merit (Commander) - 25

    Legion of Merit (Officer) - 30

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

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    On 11/10/2014 at 14:49, GHB said:

    Twenty Years ago I requested information under "Freedom of Information Act" from various agencies and sources of the USG regarding award of US decorations to Soviet Troops. Attached is a memorandum received from the Presidential Library regarding award to Soviet Troops as recommended by the Military Mission Moscow. These names are likely not on the list that Slava has from OMSA. Note this list includes an additional DFC to a Colonel.

    post-9397-0-00909500-1413053332.jpeg

    Gents,

      I finally got around to cross-checking this list which GHB kindly provided.  It turns out the one DFC, two DSC and 57 Legion of Merit recipients on the list are in fact already known recipients.

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

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    • 4 weeks later...

    Gents,

      Currently available on Amazon.  Price:  $4,399.00.  "A World War II Citation for Legion of Merit for a Russian Officer named Colonel Constantine Pavlovitch Mokal, written on official White House Stationary, signed by President Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of The United States Of America."

    Regards,

    slava1stclass

    LM Group.jpg

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    • 3 months later...
    • 1 year later...
    • 4 weeks later...
    • 2 months later...
    On 30/06/2022 at 10:50, slava1stclass said:

    Gents,

     

      My latest book.  It was high time this subject was covered in detail in one volume:  We Were Allies Once: U.S. Army Decorations Awarded to Red Army Personnel in World War II: Empric, Bruce E.: 9798838850041: Amazon.com: Books

     

    Regards,

     

    slava1stclass

     

    Gents,

     

      As it occasionally does, Amazon is currently offering my book at a reduced price.

     

    Regards,

     

    slava1stclass

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