Russia – Soviet: An excellent Latvian theatre Order of Glory 3rd Class to Private Vladislav Adamovich Vaktsans, a Rifleman in the 1st Rifle Batallion, 319th Rifle Regiment, 308th Infantry Division, for his part in destroying an enemy machine-gun in a trench and capturing an occupied house.
Order of Glory 3rd Class numbered, type 2, variation 1, 138047
Condition: Good very fine
Vladislav Adamovich Vaktsans, a Latvian born in 1917 served with the Red Army from 1944 onwards, seeing frontline action with the 2nd Baltic Front in from 8th September 1944, it is likely he was one of many able bodied males who were swept up in the Red Army’s advance and forced to join up, at a time when front line Red Army manpower was beginning to wane. This Order of Glory 3rd Class issued to him as a Rifleman in the 1st Rifle Battalion, 319th Rifle Regiment, 308th Rifle Division, 2nd Baltic Front on 2nd October 1944 with the following citation:
‘On September 19, 1944, during the fighting for the Rieksteni farmstead, he was the first to engage in battle. Through personal example he inspired the other soldiers. Using grenades he destroyed an enemy machine gun in a trench, along with its crew. On September 17, 1944 he rushed into a house in which the Germans had taken up position and with his grenades he killed 5 Germans.
He deserves the Order of Glory 3rd Class.’
Signed by the Commander of 319th Rifle Regiment, 308th Latvian Rifle Division, Colonel Arend in September 1944.
There is no information on any further service by Vaktsans, but his home address after the war is given as Bagnava farmstead, Abrashky District, Latvian SSR.
