Russia – Soviet: An excellent Operation Kutuzov Order of the Red Star to Lieutenant O.E. Nakhimzhan, Assistant Platoon Commander, Submachine Gun company, 1172ndRifle Regiment, 348thRifle Division, for his part in knocking out two enemy dugouts including one where he crawled up to the embrasure and through in grenades knocking out a machine gun and three Germans.
Order of the Red Star, type 6, reverse numbered 438347
Condition: chip to the enamel at the top of the 12 o’clock arm, overall Very fine
Oskar Emzich Nakhimzhan was born at Apartment 44, 101 Bolshaya Pushkarskaya Street, Leningrad during 1923. He joined the Red Army in September 1941 and became a member of the Communist Party in 1944.
Nakhimzhan was to receive three decorations during the Patriotic War, this Order of the Red Star was his first, issued to him by decree of the 348th Rifle Division of the Bryansk Front, whilst serving as a Lieutenant and assistant to the platoon commander of a Sub-machine gun company, 1172nd Rifle Regiment, 348th Rifle Division, 63rd Army, Bryansk Front as a result of the following recommendation:
‘He took part in blocking two enemy dugouts outside the village of Arkhangelskoe. They destroyed them. And he personally crawled toward the embrasure of the dugout, and, throwing grenades, knocked out of action and enemy machine gun and three Germans. In the process, he was wounded.’
This action took place on 11th July 1943 just as the Red Army launched it’s Operation Kutuzov, own offensive at the end of the Battle for Kursk. Nakhimzhan would go on to receive a Medal for Bravery by decree of the 1172nd Rifle Regiment on 5th August 1943 and later another Order of the Red Star by Order of the 1st Belarussian Front on 25th February 1944.
After the war Nakhimzhan is noted as being the transport commandant of the 120th Independent Rifle Battalion for Transportation Security, Group of Soviet Occupying Forces in Germany, his address given as Field Post 74944.
