Russia – Soviet: A posthumous minesweeping, Baltic Offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Red Army Solider Ivan Fyodorovich Kuchev, 45th Rifle Corps who between 8th and 12th October 1944 acted as part of a squad in the area of the village of Kasyukany, Lithuania, making two passages through the enemy minefields, removing 210 anti-tank mines, and making a passage through the enemy’s wire entanglements being wounded in the process, and later dying in the Military Hospital.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, flatback reverse, the reverse numbered 906137
Condition: Good Very Fine
Ivan Fyodorovich Kuchev was born in the village of Pydyasovo, Kosinsky District, Molotov Oblast in 1912. A Russian national, he attained an elementary education before serving in the Red Army between 1934-36, again in 1939-40 and from 1941-44.
He would serve on the frontlines during the Great Patriotic War from 24th June 1941 until 5th October 1941 when he was wounded. From 5th February 1942 until 9th July 1942 when he would be wounded for a second time, from 20th December 1942 until 5th February 1943 when he was wounded for a third time, from 15th May 1943 until 27th March 1944 when he would be wounded for a fourth time, and he would once again be serving up until 12th October 1944.
He would receive an Order of the Red Star by decree of the Western Front on 15th June 1942, the award being numbered 3219570 indicating that it would issued long after the recipients later death. This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class issued to him posthumously be a decree of the 45th Rifle Corps on 3rd November 1944 is as a result of the following recommendation:
‘Red Army Soldier Kuchev Ivan Fyodorovich from the 8th to 12.10.1944, acting as part of a squad in the area of the village of Kasyukany, Syntovsky District, Lithuania, made two passages in the enemy’s minefields, removing 210 anti-tank mines, and made one passage in the enemy’s wire entanglements, being wounded in the process, after which he died of wounds in the Medical-Sanitary Battalion.’
The Order of the Patriotic War was one of the few awards that could be awarded posthumously and thus sent to the individuals next of kin.
