Description
Order of the Red Banner #127112
Awarded to Guards Major Georgij Andreevich Nikitenko (Георгий Андреевич Никитенко)
For exemplary leadership and personal bravery during the 1944 summer offensive. On June 24, he directed artillery fire that eliminated 11 German soldiers, and on July 9 near Yakimovichi, his anti-tank defense destroyed 13 enemy troops and repelled tanks. His effective command resulted in the downing of 123 enemy aircraft
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 45.64 mm in height, 37.29 mm in width and it weighs 22.7 grams without its suspension. The serial number and mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
In good overall condition, showing light wear on the raised areas such as the central wreath and torch, with much of the original gold plating still intact. The red and white enamels are well preserved and free of repairs, though a large chip is visible on the upper left side of the banner. The reverse displays a sharp, desirable counter-relief with a dark patina. The serial number shows evidence of an engraving mistake which was corrected officially. The order retains its original double-layer suspension from the period, with the suspension ring remaining uncut.
Brief, concrete description of the personal combat feat or merits.
Comrade NIKITENKO has been educating the personnel in the spirit boundless devotion and love to the Motherland and hatred towards the enemy. He proved himself as a brave and courageous officer during the summer offensive period, whose firm hand enforced iron discipline among the unit troops. While he worked in the field among the troops, his personal example inspired the enlisted men and the officers for heroic feats. In a enemy defence breakthrough operation on 24 June 1944 near the settlement Mikhailovka (Polessie region), he was in the field with two artillery batteries, which supported closely our infantry troops and were firing at counter-attacking enemy, eliminating 11 German troops.
Providing anti-aircraft defence to 18 rifle corpse on 09 July 1944 near the settlement Yakimovichi, he was advancing among the 4th battery and encountered an enemy ambush party consisting of tanks and infantry armed with automatic weapons. He organised active anti-tank defence and eliminated 13 Hitlerites. The enemy tanks and the surviving Hitlerites were routed. During the offensive, the regiment closely followed our infantry and provided them with antiaircraft defence. During the period of his service in the regiment, the regiment shot down 123 enemy aircrafts. There is also great deal of comrade NIKITENKO’s contribution in this result.
He deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the research can be read below:
More info on Major Nikitenko can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- the combat diaries of the 307th Guards Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment on 24 June and 9 July 1944,
- history of 3rd Guards Anti Aircraft Artillery Division
- POW document
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