Russia – Soviet: An East Prussian fighting SU-76 self-propelled gun loader’s Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Guards Private Vasily Aleksandrovich Kiryukhin, 1476th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment for helping repel enemy counterattacks by infantry and up to 30 tanks in the fighting near Vygoda on 15th January 1945. During the subsequent fighting for the city of Deutsche-Eylau his decisive action gave the crew the ability to destroy a Stug III self-propelled gun, being wounded during the fighting.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 883567
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Vasily Aleksandrovich Kiryukhin was born in the village of Yakovlevo, Lenin District, Tula Oblast in 1908. A Russian national he attained an elementary education and joined the Red Army in August 1941.
He would see front line service from 1942 onwards being wounded in 1943. He would serve with the 1st Belorussian Front from June 1944 to November 1944, then the 2nd Baltic Front from November 1944 onwards, and then on the 2nd Belarussian Front.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class was issued by decree of the Armoured and Mechanised Forces, 2nd Army on 9th February 1945.
Issued whilst serving as a Guards Private and Loader, SU-76, 1476th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, the citation reads:
‘In battles in the area of Vygoda on 15th January 1945, repelling enemy counterattacks by infantry and up to 30 tanks, Comrade Kiryukhin, as part of the crew, acted boldly and bravely and worked assuredly, which supported the repulse all enemy counterattacks with great losses for them in a tenacious firefight. He destroyed 10 German soldiers.
In battles for the city of Deutsche-Eylau, in dogged street fighting, his decisive and assured actions gave (the crew) the ability to destroy an enemy ‘Artshurm’ (Stug III). In that battle, Comrade Kiryulkhin was wounded. Comrade Kiryukhin carried out all assigned combat missions successfully.
Conclusion: For courage, bravery, and feats of arms displayed in the battles with the German invaders, Comrade Kiryukhin deserves the government award of the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
Kiryukhin’s only other award would be a Medal for Victory over Germany and by 24th November 1951 would be working as a repair worker at Obidimo Station, Moscow-Kursk Railway, Lenin District, Tula Oblast whilst living in the village of Yakovlev.
