Russia – Soviet: An Operation Bagration Order of the Red Star awarded to Senior Sergeant Mikhail Evtikhievich Kravchenko, Squad Commander, Independent Training Company, 55th ‘Mozyr’ Rifle Division for destroying two enemy firing positions with his mortar team whilst acting together with the second brigade of river shIps of the Dnieper Naval Flotilla.
Order of the Red Star, reverse numbered 1692316
Condition: Good Very Fine
Mikhail Evtikhievich Kravchenko was born in the village of Bokovoe, Dolinsky District, Kirovograd Oblast in 1900. A Ukrainian national he attained a middle school education and joined the Red Army in February 1943. He served on the Central Front and Belarussian Front from 15th September 1943. He would be wounded on 17th September 1943 and again on 21st October 1943 at the village of Semyki, Polesskaya Oblast.
He would be twice decorated, the first award being a Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the 55th Rifle Division on 13th June 1944 and the second this Order of the Red Star by decree of the commander of the 55th Rifle Division on 11th August 1944.
Awarded whilst serving as a Senior Sergeant and Squad Commander, Independent Training Company, 55th ‘Mozyr’ Rifle Division the citation reads:
‘On 2nd July 1944 in battles for the village of Doroshevichi, Petrikovsky District, Polesskaya Oblast, Senior Sergeant Kravchenko M.E., acting together with the second brigade of river ships of the Dnieper Naval Flotilla, with the accurate fire of his mortar team destroyed two enemy firing positions that were impeding the forward movement of our advancing infantry and skilfully fired on the enemy’s front line. He thereby enabled the advance. On 10th July 1944, having received a mission to reconnoitre, Senior Sergeant Kravchenko led a group of 8 men and provided reconnaissance; the enemy’s dispositions, numbers and fire support, and thereby aided the landing in capturing the village of Berezug, Pinskaya Oblast. Deserves the government award of the Order of the Red Star.’
He would also received a Medal for the Victory over Germany. After the war he would be working as a Livestock Expert in the Office of Livestock Procurement – Dagestan in the city of Khasav-Yurt. He was living at Mozdokskaya 28
