Russia – Soviet: East Prussia offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Guards Captain A.N. Gritsenko, Deputy Battalion Commander for Political Affairs, 22nd Guards Artillery Regiment, 3rd Guards Rifle Division, 2nd Guards Army for excellent organisation of the political work in the battalion and ensuring the growth of Party organisations. In Battles in East Prussia on 24th February 1945 he personally directed the advance of a gun to an open firing positions helping to repulse two enemy counter-attacks, destroying two machine-guns and a platoon of German troops.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, type 2, flatback reverse, reverse numbered 568275
Condition: minor enamel chip to the 2 o’clock arm, otherwise Good Very Fine
Andrei Nazarovich Gritsenko was born in the village of Kirovka, Khmelevsky District, Kirovograd Oblast during 1912. A Ukrainian national he attained an elementary education and joined the Red Army in June 1941 subsequently serving on the frontline from June 1942 with the Southwestern Front being lightly wounded on 20th June 1942.
He would first be decorated with the Order of the Red Star by decree of the Commander of the 2nd Guards Army on 14th May 1944 this would have been for the Crimean offensive and possibly the capture of Sevastopol.
His next decoration was this Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class issued to him by decree of the Forces of the 2nd Guards Army on 22nd April 1945 whilst serving as a Guards Captain and Deputy Commander for Political Affairs of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Guards ‘Yevpatoriya’ Artillery Red Banner Regiment, 3rd Guards ‘Volnovakha’ Red Banner Division as a result of the following recommendation:
‘In offensive battles in East Prussia in January and February 1945, he ensured excellent organisation Party-political and political-morale work in the battalion. In the challenging conditions of the offensive, he always kept the troops up to speed on international and domestic political events. He ensured growth of Party organisations through accepting the best people, who, on the battlefield, had prove themselves and manifested the leading role of Communists in battle. He was always situated on the front line in the most important and dangerous sectors. He personally mobilised and inspired the troops to successfully fulfil their assigned combat missions.
In battles on 24.2.1945 in the area of the city of (illegible), in East Prussia, while repulsing an enemy counterattack, he personally directed the advance of a gun to an open firing position and, directing its fire, repulsed two enemy counterattacks, and moreover destroyed two medium machine guns and up to a platoon of Hitlerites.
He deserves the Government award of the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
He would take part in the capture of Konigsberg in April 1945 receiving the medal for this shortly afterwards, as well as a Medal for the Victory over Germany. Shortly afterwards he would receive a Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Soviet Army and Navy.
Continuing to serve after the war he would receive a Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service on 19th November 1951 and a second Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service on 30th December 1956.
After the war he lived in Moscow and worked as a student at MVD Courses for training and retraining of Political Officers.
