Russia – Soviet: An interesting Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class and Order of the Red Star pair awarded to Lieutenant Mikhail Vasilevich Mitchenko, a Pilot Observer, 72nd ‘Petrozavodsk’ Independent Red Banner Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment who was decorated with the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class for carrying out 14 successful combat missions on his PE-2 Aircraft as a Pilot-Observer. He would later be awarded an Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service on 30th December 1956. He had participated in the liberation of Warsaw and Berlin during the closing stages of the Great Patriotic War.
Pair: Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 661391; Order of the Red Star, the reverse numbered 3472623
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Mikhail Vasilevich Mitchenko was born in the city of Stalino in 1921. A Russian national he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in August 1940, he would see active service on the frontline from 31st August 1944, being awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class on 1st June 1945.
Serving as a Lieutenant and Pilot-Observer, 72nd ‘Petrozavodsk’ Independent Red Banner Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, the citation reads:
‘He has taken part in the Patriotic War since 31.08.1944 on the Belorussian Front, where on 19.04.1945 he carried out 14 successfully fulfilled combat sorties to reconnoiter and photograph troops, railway junctions, roads, and other enemy installations and equipment, on a Pe-2 aircraft.
He knows the bombing equipment, guns, and navigational equipment of the Pe-2 well. He is a young pilot-observer. He quickly absorbs experience combat work from experience cadres and currently carries out combat missions only with good or excellent marks. He has mastered the techniques of piloting well in simple weather conditions. He has a desire to go on combat missions. He displays persistence, bravery and resourcefulness. He has on numerous occasions delivered valuable information about the enemy to Command.
He is disciplined, respectful and sober-minded. He is politically literate, ideologically mature, and morally steadfast. He takes active part in the social life of the aviation squadron.
For 14 successful combat reconnaissance sorties and for resoluteness and initiative displayed, I recommend Lieutenant Mitchenko for the Government award the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class.’
Remaining in the Air Force after the war, he would receive a Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the Supreme Soviet for 10 years long service in November 1950, and an Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service on 30th December 1956 which marked the last batch of such awards.
He would receive also be in receipt of the Medal for Liberation of Warsaw, the Medal for the Capture of Berlin, the Medal for the Victory over Germany and the Medal for 30 Years of the Red Army and Navy.
By 21st March 1957 he would be working as an Aviation Squadron Navigator, 750th Training Aviation Regiment, ‘Kholzunov’ Kirovobad Military Aviation School and was living at No.3 Novosibirskaya Street, Chkalov Oblast city of Orsk.
