Russia – Soviet: East Prussian Offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Guards Senior Lieutenant Ivan Grigorevich Tsvelodub, 76mm Gun Battery Commander, 369th Independent Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion for his part in his battery’s role in capturing the city of Labiau, when it destroyed 4 machine guns and a platoon of enemy soldiers and knocked out one tank and two wheeled vehicles. He later destroyed a machine gun and 3 German soldiers who were attempting to pounce upon the right flank gun.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 869885
Condition: enamel chip to the central white enamel, otherwise better than Very Fine
Ivan Grigorevich Tsvelodub was born in the village of Orlovka, Yampol District, Sumy Oblast in 1919. A Ukrainian national he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in 1939. He would see service on the front line of the Great Patriotic War on the Western Front from 15th July 1941, being wounded in December 1941, most likely in the fighting around Moscow. He would be severely wounded in 1942 also whilst fighting on the Western Front.
After recuperation he would serve with the 4th Ukrainian Front from 13th October 1943 this encompassing the fighting for the recapture of Crimea and Southern Ukraine. After the successful conclusion of this campaign he would transfer to the 1st Baltic Front where he would see service from July 1944. He would also receive an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 63rd Rifle Corps on 15th May 1944, this most likely for his part in the fighting in the Crimea which had just finished.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class issued by decree of the Carpathian Military District on 30th November 1949 was awarded to him for his service as a Guards Senior Lieutenant, 76mm Gun Battery Commander, 369th Independent Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion, the citation reading:
‘Guards Sr. Lt. Tsvelodub, in offensive battles on the territory of East Prussia from 18.1.1945 until 31.1.1945, acted boldly and decisively. The Sr. Lt’s battery, in battles to capture the city of Labiau, under his skilful command, destroyed 4 machine guns and up to a platoon of enemy soldiers and officers and knocked out one tank and two wheeled vehicles.
Guards Sr. Lt. Tselodub directly participated in repelling an enemy counterattack. He personally destroyed 3 German soldiers who, with a machine gun, had pounced upon the right flank gun. Guards Sr. Lt. Tselodub deserves the government award of the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
By 8th February 1950 he would be employed as the Chief of Paramilitary Security at the Pump Factory in the settlement of Svessa, Yampol District, Sumy Oblast.
