Russia – Soviet: A Baltic Front Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Rifleman Vasily Aksentevich Petrov, 6th Rifle Company, 700th Rifle Regiment, 204th ‘Vitebsk’ Rifle Division for his gallantry on 20th September 1944 when in the area of the city of Dobele, Latvia when during an enemy attempt to conduct reconnaissance by fire and uncover the Red Army’s firing positions, he spotted the enemy, opened fire with submachine gun and grenades and destroyed 6 German invaders.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 889594
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Vasily Aksentevich Petrov was born in the village of Korolki, Beshenkovichsky District, Ostrovensky sedsovet, Vitebsk Oblast in 1923. A Belarussian national, he attained an elementary education before serving in the Red Army from June 1944 and on the frontlines from 20th August 1944. Presumably he was one of many soldiers picked up in the Red Army’s advance westward and conscripted into service.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class was issued by decree of the 60th Rifle Corps on 9th October 1944 for his service as a Red Army Soldier and Rifleman, 6th Rifle Company, 700th Rifle Regiment, 204th ‘Vitebsk’ Rifle Division. The citation reads:
‘On 20.9.1944 in the area of the city of Dobele, Latvian SSR, during an enemy attempt to conduct reconnaissance by fire and uncover our firing positions, he spotted the enemy, opened fire with submachine gun and grenades, and destroyed 6 German invaders. The enemy was forced away, suffering losses. Through his vigilance, he foiled the enemy reconnaissance action.
Deserves the government award the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
By 26th January 1953 he would employed as a tractor driver at the Ostrovensky Machine-Tractor Section and was living in the village of Ostrovno, Beshenkovichsky District, Vitebsk Oblast.
