Russia – Soviet: A Platoon Commander’s Order of the Red Star awarded to Lieutenant S.P. Nikiforov, 6th Fuel Distribution Vehicle Battalion for successfully maintaining his vehicles and suffering zero losses whilst amongst other tasks delivering fuel directly to the combat formations of the armoured troops.
Russia – Soviet: Order of the Red Star, type 6, with straight 9mm mint mark, made by MMD in 1945-46, the reverse numbered 1687812
Condition: Good Very Fine
Sergey Pavlovich Nikoforov was born in Leningrad in 1910. A Russian national, he attained an elementary education and saw service in the Red Army from June 1941, initially serving with the Voronezh Front he would be awarded a Medal for Combat Merits by the Voronezh Front on 28th September 1943.
Later serving as a Lieutenant in the Reserve and Platoon Commander, 6th Fuel Distribution Vehicle Battalion he would be awarded this Order of the Red Star by decree of the 1st Ukrainian Front on 6th June 1945 as a result of the following recommendation:
‘During both the winter and the summer campaigns of the Red Army, Lieutenant Nikiforov has constantly been on the move, delivering the fuel to the fighting units in time or ahead of schedule. This was done despite tremendously difficult and impassable roads, especially during the mud of the winter of 1944. At the same time, Lt. Nikiforov’s vehicle pool has been in constant service since the beginning of the Patriotic war. But thanks to the proper management and keen technical maintenance, his platoon vehicles are always ready for service. He has not lost a single vehicle, neither in the winter nor in the summer campaign, even though they often delivered fuel directly to the combat formation of the armoured troops. Personally Lt. Nikiforov is disciplined, demanding towards himself and the subordinates officers of the Red Army. He is devoted ot the cause of the party of Lenin-Stalin and the Socialist Motherland. For excellent performance in delivering fuel and saving the vehicles, Lt. Nikiforov deserves the state award – order ‘Red Star’.
Surviving the war he would go on to work as a miller at a Rubber goods production plant in Leningrad city whilst living at apartment 72, 41 Shkapina Street in Leningrad.
