Russia – Soviet: An Operation Bagration Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Captain Grigory Dmitrievich Tsurenko, Chief of Signals, 1343rd Rifle Regiment, 399th ‘Novozybkov’ Rifle Division for maintaining uninterrupted communications between sub-units, the regimental headquarters and the observation point, communications having been partially severed by heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, but thanks the Tsurenko’s personal intercession they were quickly restored.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, type 2, with an unusual ring type reverse, the reverse numbered 969513
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Grigory Dmitrievich Tsurenko was born in the village of Andreevka, Adamovsky District, Orenburg Oblast in 1906. A Ukrainian national he attained a Higher education before joining the Red Army in June 1939 and serving until January 1946. He would see service with the Bryansk , Central and Belorussian Fronts from 21st October 1942.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class would by decree of the 48th Army on 2nd August 1944 but would only be issued to him on 7th December 1979, the resultant very long delay most likely as a result of his severe wound that took place between the act of bravery and the award being confirmed. This would have led to him being ‘lost’ to his unit and thus unable to take possession of the award, a not uncommon occurrence in the Red Army.
Awarded as a Captain and Chief of Signals, 1343rd Rifle Regiment, 399th ‘Novozybkov’ Rifle Division the recommendation reads:
‘In battle to break through the enemy’s heavily fortified defences on 24th June 1944 outside the village of Kostyashevo, Rogachevsky District, Gomel Oblast, Comrade Tsyurenko, in challenging combat conditions, organised and maintained uninterrupted communications between sub-units, the regimental headquarters, and the observation point. Communications were partially severed by heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, but thanks to the personal intercession of Comrade Tsyurenko, comms were quickly restored, which gave the regimental commander the ability to direct sub-units continuously.
Over the period of the offensive battles, Comrade Tsyurenko personally repaired three breaks in the wired communications line, inspiring his subordinates to courage and fearlessness.’
Tsurenko would be severely wounded on 19th July 1944 and would lose one of his arms as a result. By 7th December 1979 when he would receive the award, he would be working as a Senior Specialist, Mobile Mechanised Column No. 177 in Riga. This being a type of construction and repair crew.
