Russia - Soviet: A Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive Medal for Bravery awarded to Guards Private Nikolai Aleksandrovich Belyakov, a telephonist in the Headquarters Platoon of the 41st Guards Mortar Regiment, 14th Army for repairing breaks in the telephone line over the course of 2.5. hours whilst under heavy artillery and mortar fire.
Medal for Bravery, type 2, reverse numbered 2094732
Condition: some wear to the red enamel of the lettering of the obverse otherwise Good Very Fine
Nikolai Aleksandrovich Belyakov was born in the village of Minino, Nekrasovsky Selsovet, Nekrasovsky District, Yaroslavl Oblast in 1924. Having attained an elementary education, he served in the Red Army from 1942. Serving as a Guards Private in the 41st Guards Mortar Battalion as a Telephonist, he was awarded this Medal for Bravery by decree of the 41st Guards Mortar Regiment of 10th November 1944 for the following:
‘In battles from the 7th to 27.10.1944, he displayed boldness and bravery. He accurately and reliably ensured uninterrupted communications on the main signals axes. On 7.10.1944, as lineman, under heavy artillery and mortar fire, he repaired 32 breaks in the line over the course of 2.5 hours. In spite of the explosions of enemy shells and mortars, he did not leave the line until uninterrupted communications were attained.’
As part of the 14th Army, Belyakov’s unit at the time of the award was fighting in northern Finland as part of the Petsamo-Kirkenes offensive seizing the town of Pechenga, after successfully completing its mission the Army remained in the area on occupation duty until the end of the war.
Belyakov remained in the Army in October 1946 and at that time was a Telephonist in the 21st Guards Mechanised Division, 25th Independent Guards Mortar Battalion. His only other known medal entitlement was a Medal for the Victory over Germany.
