Russia – Soviet: An interesting Signals and Communications Work Order of the Red Star awarded to Starshina 2nd Class, Leonid Tikhonovich Trepachev, the Telephone Station Chief of the Observation and Signals Service Sector, Poti Naval Base for his work in signals work on the Baltic Islands and later during the landings that took place at Pillau and on the Frische-Nehrung spit in the last weeks of the war.
Order of the Red Star, type 6, reverse numbered 1692818
Condition: Good very fine
Leonid Tikhonovich Trepachev was born in Leningrad in 1916, a member of the Komsomol he joined the Red Navy in 1937, this Order of the Red Star was issued to him by decree of the Commander of the South-Western Naval Defence District of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet on 26th May 1945 as a result of the following recommendation:
‘Participant of the Patriotic War since its first days. Until February 1945, he served in the position of commander of a section of electrician-signalmen of the island of Lavansaari.
In 1941-1942, he took part in battles for the islands of Gogland and Tyuters, where under enemy fire, he provided the battalion commander with excellent communications with sub-units.
In 1942-1944, he accomplished exceptionally great work in constructing a line and signals installations on the island of Lavansaari. Lacking the most essential materials and apparatus, through his persistence and selfless labour, Comrade Trepachiev achieved excellent performance from telephone communications.
During enemy bombing and artillery shelling, he more than once personally went out to the line to repair damage.
As the Naval Base redeployed westward, he skilfully organised the work of his troops. All missions from command to provide communications were performed excellently, especially during the period of landing operations to capture the city of Pillau and the spit of Frische Nehrung, where, through his courageous labour and personal initiative, he achieved uninterrupted communications for Command, and for bravery and courage displayed therein, he deserves awarding of the government award the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class.’
Signed by the Chief of Signals for the Pillau Naval Base, Red Banner Baltic Fleet, Engineer Captain 2nd Rank, Mikhail Vasilevich Shebanin
Trepachev was later to receive the Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service on 6th November 1947, the Medal for the Defence of Leningrad, and the Medal for the Capture of Konigsberg and the Medal for the Victory over Germany. Post war he was working as part of the underwater cable team, Fleet Communications Centre, 4th Fleet, whilst living at Apartment number 9, building no.5, Zevskaya Street in the city of Leningrad.
