Russia – Soviet: An Aviation Mechanic’s Medal for Combat Merits to Senior Sergeant A.P. Gudz, 10th Training Aviation Regiment for repairing and replacing aircraft engines and safely maintaining the units equipment.

Russia – Soviet: An Aviation Mechanic’s Medal for Combat Merits to Senior Sergeant A.P. Gudz, 10^th Training Aviation Regiment for repairing and replacing aircraft engines and safely maintaining the units equipment.

Medal for Combat Merits, type 2, reverse numbered 2532687.

Condition: enamel missing from the lettering on the obverse, Good very fine

Aleksei Pavlovich Gudz was born in Zhaskkovsky District, Kiev Obaslt in 1921,he joined the Red Army in 1944, and served as an aviation mechanic with the 10^th Training Aviation Regiment.

Gudz was to receive two Medals for Combat Merit, the first by decree of the 8^th Air Army on 3^rd February 1944, the second, this one, by decree of the 8^th Air Army on 4^th June 1945 as a result of the following recommendation:

‘He has taken part n the Patriotic War since February 1943. In the 10^th Independent Training Aviation Regiment, he serves as a mechanic for UT-2 and PO-2 aircraft. He deals well with this work. He knows the equipment excellently and operates it skilfully. His aircraft has flown 1059 hours, carried out 5380 landings, and in addition he has serviced 387 cross-country flights.
36 pilots have trained on the aircraft he services, of whom 18 are night pilots. He took part in recleaning 8 PO-2 aircraft.
On temporary duty with the 74^th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Comrade Gudz, facilitated the training of night pilots in a short period of time – 18 days – without any accidents. His aircraft flew 64 hours and conducted 313 landings trouble free, for which he received a certificate of gratitude from the commander of the 74^th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Captain Smilsky, comrade Gutz is an efficient, disciplined aviation mechanic and serves as an example among his comrades. Conclusion: for selfless work on equipment, for supporting 1059 hours of flight with 5380 landings, swapping out 16 engines on PO-2 aircraft, assembling and disassembling 8 PO-2 aircraft, and supporting night pilots of the 74^th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, he deserves the government award the Medal for Combat Merits.’

After the war Gudz would continue to work as an Aviation Mechanic, 686^th ‘Sevastopol’ Assault Aviation Regiment whilst living at the village of Okhmatovo, Zhaskhovksy District, Kiev Oblast