Russia – Soviet: A Radioman’s Order of the Red Star awarded to Junior Lieutenant Vasily Nikolaevich Papushin, Radio Platoon Commander, Signals Company, 7th Rifle Regiment, 24th Rifle Division, after a shell made a direct hit on a foxhole where 2 radiomen were killed and the radio station was buried in the earth, despite being stunned by the blast, he dashed and dug out the radio set, quickly repaired it and continued to work.
Order of the Red Star, the reverse numbered 202594
Condition: Good Very Fine
Vasily Nikolaevich Papushin was born in the village of Savino, Kargopolsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast in 1913. A Russian national, he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in 1938 and serving until 1938. He would rejoin at the beginning of the Patriotic War.
His first decoration would be a Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the 24th Rifle Division on 5th February 1943, and shortly afterwards would receive this Order of the Red Star, his second and final decoration by decree of the 24th Rifle Division.
Awarded as a Junior Lieutenant and Radio Platoon Commander, Signals Company, 7th Rifle Regiment, 24th Rifle Division, the citation reads:
‘During the period of battles from 15 to 23.08.1943, he skilfully managed and without interruption provided radio communications for the regiment’s commander.
On 17.08.1943, in battles for the village of Bespolovka, the dugout in which the radio set was located collapsed from shell explosions, but paying no heed to his, the radio communications continued to function.
On 21.08.1943, in battles for the village of Bolshaya Gomolsha, at an observation post, he maintained communications with the battalions. At that moment, a shell made a direct hit on a foxhole, where 2 radiomen were killed and the radio station was thrown to the side by the blast and buried in the earth. Stunned (by the blast) he dashed and dug out he radio set, quickly repaired it, and continued to work.
He deserves the government Order of the Red Star.’
By 3rd August 1946, Papushin was employed as a Radio-Technician in the city of Naryan-Mar, Arkhangelsk Oblast.
