Russia – Soviet: An Order of the Red Star awarded to Captain of the Quartermaster Service A.Z. Lokhovitsky, Chief of the Administrative Department, 11th Order of the Red Star Mobile Aviation Repair Workshop for his excellent administrative work during the Great Patriotic War.
Order of the Red Star, type 6, made by MZZP between March and June 1945 with a long bayonet, the reverse numbered 1870483.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Aleksandr Zinovevich Lokhovitsky was born in the city of Lebedin, Kharkov Oblast in 1911. His nationality given as Jewish, he attained a middle school education and would initially servce in the Red Army between November 1932 and some time in 1934. He would subsequently return to service in May 1941 just before the outbreak of the war.
He would receive his first award a Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the 2nd Air Army on 4th April 1944 and then subsequently this Order of the Red Star by decree of the 2nd Air Army on 29th May 1945.
Serving as Senior Lieutenant of the Administrative Service, Chief of the Administrative Department, ‘Order of the Red Star’ Mobile Aircraft Repair Workshop No.11, this decoration was awarded as a result of the following recommendation:
‘Comrade Lokhovitsky has been Chief of the Administrative Department of the aviation repair workshop since the month of January 1945. Since his first day of work, he has displayed great energy and initiative in arranging the work of the administrative sector. In a short time, he has completely changed the organisation of the food galley’s work and the entire facility, thanks to which the quality of the prepared food sharply increased. A variety of dishes was introduced; ‘culture’ was brought to the officer’s and Red Army soldiers’ cafeterias. Attention is exhibited toward the cleanliness of uniforms and undergarments of all the troops.
During the workshops redeployment, in spite of difficulties with auto transport, he quickly ensured the organisation of hot food for the troops, which was conducive to setting up production right from the get go, on arrival at a new location.
Through the efforts of the workers from the administrative department, he constructed a bath and washhouse in the manufacturing area, which facilitated timely personal hygiene and laundering of undergarments and uniforms.
Without exceeding the authorised number of administrative workers, he organised a part-time farm in the unit: cattle, a vegetable garden for the cafeterias, and crops. Nine hectares of potatoes and three hectares of vegetables were planted: cabbage, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and beets. The planting of vegetables continues, exceeding the plan.
Records and accounting are on the required level. Inspection commissions from month to month note the good condition of the warehouse facilities and correct stock keeping of groceries. There was no theft or shortfalls. The personnel of the administrative department work in a concerted manner and with great efforts, without regard for their personal time.
For high marks in his work, for initiative displayed and assistance to the workshop’s production, I recommend Comrade Lokhovitsky for a Government award and motion to award him the Order of the Red Star.’
He would later also receive a Medal for Victory over Germany and a Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service in November 1950.
In April 1946 he was still serving as the Chief of the Administrative Department in the 11th Order of the Red Star Mobile Aviation Repair Workshop whilst his address was given as Field Post No.06811
