Description
Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class #994
Awarded to Guards Colonel Stepan Nikitovich Chirva (Степан Никитович Чирва)
For personally flying 94 combat sorties, participating in 10 air battles, and shooting down 2 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Stalingrad [He-111 while frying a Yak-1 and a Me-109 while escorting a group of IL-2 planes]. Under his leadership, the division played a key role in operations, conducting 1,392 sorties during the summer offensive of 1944. Chirva is recognized as a disciplined, tactically skilled, and demanding commander who significantly improved the combat effectiveness of the fighter aviation division he commanded
Chirva was highly decorated with 2 Orders of Suvorov 2nd class, 4 Orders of the Red Banner and an Order of Lenin next to this Order of Kutuzov 2nd class
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 47.70 mm in width, 49.12 in height and weighs 37.8 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint Monetni Dvor are located on its reverse. The minimum known serial number for this 5-riveted variation is 429 and the maximum 1994. Only a few in this range have their serial number placed at a 6 o’clock position.
In excellent condition with light overall wear. There are relatively few small contact marks to the silver base and the raised parts like Kutuzov’s cheek and hair show their details well. The enamels are fully present and extremely well preserved without repairs, scratches or chipping. Both sides show an attractive medium patina to the silver and the order comes with its time period an well fitted silver screwplate. The order shows no repairs and its screw has not been shortened.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits
He has commanded the fighter aviation division since December 1943. In a short time, thanks to his demanding nature and ability to lead combat operations, he significantly improved the combat effectiveness of the division’s units.
Comrade CHIRVA, during his participation in the Patriotic War, personally conducted 94 combat sorties, engaged in 10 air battles, and shot down 2 enemy aircrafts. He skilfully manages both combat operations and party-political work. A tactically competent and demanding commander. For exemplary combat performance during the capture of the cities of Mozyr and Kalinkovichi by our forces, the division was awarded order “Red Banner”. During the summer offensive in the Zhlobin, Bobruisk, Slutsk, and Baranovichi directions, the division’s units carried out 1392 combat sorties in support of ground-attack aircraft and free hunting missions to intercept enemy aircrafts.
He is disciplined and effectively instills military discipline among the division’s personnel. He fully meets the requirements of a divisional commander.
For the skilful organisation and leadership of the division’s combat operations, and for his contribution to the successful breakthrough of German defences and the liberation of the cities of Zhlobin, Bobruisk, Baranovichi, and others by our troops, he deserves state award order “KUTUZOV II CLASS”.
The full translation of the research can be found below:
A biography of Guards Colonel Stepan Nikitovich Chirva (Степан Никитович Чирва) can be read here and an excerpt of it below
Personal Information:
- Born: December 26, 1907, Rovnoye village, Yelisavetgrad district, Kherson province
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Rank: Colonel (from February 4, 1944)
- Service in the Red Army: Since June 1929
Education and Training:
- 1930: Lenin Komsomol Military Theoretical School of Pilots, Leningrad
- 1931: 3rd Military School of Pilots and Flight Navigators, Orenburg
- 1932: Anti-Aircraft Artillery School, Sevastopol (Advanced aviation course)
- 1938: Regimental Commissar courses, Gatchina
- 1946: Red Banner Air Force Academy (Advanced command training)
Military Career:
- 1929–1931: Pilot training in Leningrad and Orenburg
- 1931–1937: Service in 1st Red Banner Fighter Squadron, Gatchina (Junior/Senior Pilot, Flight Commander)
- 1934–1937: Deployment to Far East, 50th Air Brigade, OKDVA
- 1937: Commissar, 20th Fighter Squadron, 51st Air Brigade, Spassk
- 1938: Commissar, then temporary commander, 1st Squadron, 48th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Far Eastern Front
- 1938–1939: Assistant Commander, 15th Separate Aviation Squadron, Sakhalin
- 1939–1941: Commander, 14th Fighter Aviation Regiment, 31st Mixed Aviation Division, 2nd Separate Red Banner Army
- 1941: Inspector of Piloting Technology; redeployed to Northwestern Front
- July 1941: Commander, 247th Fighter Regiment
- August 1941: Formed and led 520th Fighter Aviation Regiment, later part of Volkhov Front
World War II Service:
- 1942–1943: 520th Regiment reorganized into 56th Guards “Altukhovsky” Regiment
- Participated in: Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Kursk, Dnieper Offensive, Liberation of Left-Bank Ukraine
- December 1943: Appointed commander of 283rd Kamyshin Red Banner Fighter Aviation Division
- 1944–1945: Operations in Mozyr, Kalinkovichi, Warsaw-Poznan, East Pomeranian, Berlin Offensives
- Tasks included: Escort, reconnaissance, troop cover, interception
Postwar Service:
- 1945–1946: Advanced commander training
- 1946–1947: Returned to division
- 1947: Removed from command due to discipline/accident issues
- 1947–1948: Deputy Commander for Flight Ops, 8th Guards Fighter Aviation Division
- 1949–1955: Head of DOSAV Training Centers in Kuznetsk and Kazan
- 1955: Retired to reserve
Awards and Honors:
- Four Orders of the Red Banner
- Two Orders of Suvorov, 2nd class
- Order of Kutuzov, 2nd class
- Order of the Red Star
- Various medals
References:
- The Great Patriotic War: Division Commanders. Military Biographical Dictionary. Volume II (2014), Kuchkovo Pole, 992 pages
More information on General Revunenkov can be found here, here, here and here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- 13 scans of images of Col. Chirva, several show him wearing this Order of Kutuzov
- a scan of a page from the newspaper Red Star of 21st November 1942 mentioning Col. Chirva
- a book mentioning Col. Chirva
A truly amazing and rare piece of great historical significance!
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