Russia – Soviet: A Relief of Leningrad Order of the Red Star awarded to Senior Lieutenant Aleksandr Terentevich Kovtun, a Battery Commander, 292nd Independent Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion who during January and February 1944 whilst situated on the banks of Lake Pskov skilfully directed the fire of the artillery battery and repelled numerous enemy counter attacks inflicting losses in men and equipment.
Order of the Red Star, type 2, the reverse numbered 938643
Condition: Good Very Fine
Aleksandr Terentevich Kovtun was born in the village of Khrestishcheva, Slavyansk District, Stalin Oblast, Ukrainian SSR in 1921. A Ukrainian national he attained a middle school education before joining the Red Army in 1939 and would serve in the Patriotic War from the opening days in June 1941 and would be wounded on 16th November 1941 outside Leningrad whilst defending the city. He would receive the Medal for the Defence of Leningrad for his part in the battle.
This Order of the Red Star would be issued to him by the Decree of Forces of the Artillery of the 42nd Army on 17th July 1944. Issued whilst serving as a Senior Lieutenant and Battery Commander, 292nd Independent Machine Gun & Artillery Battalion the citation reads:
‘Sr.Lt. Kovtun has been a participant of the Patriotic War since June 1941. In battles with the German invaders he was severely wounded. During offensive battles on the Leningrad Front in January-February 1944, situated on the banks of Lake Pskov, he skilfully directed the fire of the artillery battery and on numerous occasions repelled enemy counter attacks, inflicting upon them losses in men and equipment. As a stout-hearted and courageous defender of the Motherland he deserves the government award of the Order of the Red Star’
Kovtun would later receive a Medal for Victory over Germany as well as a Medal for Combat Merits, issued to him on 15th November 1950 for ten years long service.
On 22nd May 1947 he was employed as a Battery Commander, 247th Independent Red Banner Machine Gun & Artillery Battalion and was living in the village of Khrestishcheva where he had been born.
