Description
Order of the Red Star #173512
Awarded to Captain Petr Andreevich Gorokhov (Аким Иванович Самохвалов)
For courageous and skillful leadership in March 1943 offensive operations, where he personally directed and maneuvered machine-gun crews under heavy fire, broke strong enemy defenses, executed a successful flanking attack that caused enemy panic, destroyed multiple firing positions, and ensured the advance of rifle units without losses
Tragically, Captain Gorokhov was killed in September (!) 1945 while serving on active duty during the Soviet occupation of Germany
Made of silver and enamels. The order measures 47.87 mm in width, 46.36 mm in height and weighs 28.3 grams without its screwplate. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark on the 12 o’clock position of its reverse. This early variation has a round base ‘heel’ of the screw.
In excellent, well above average condition with light overall wear and most details still visible. Its obverse shows relatively few dings and scratches to the silver base. The enamels are without repairs or chipping with some small scratches and contact marks only. The reverse is in great condition as well and shows a nice patina. Its screwpost is full length and the order comes with its well fitted silver screwplate.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
During offensive battles from 4 to 31 March 1943 in the area of Tumanovskom, Smolensk Oblast, Comrade Gorokhov, under difficult conditions, courageously commanded his unit, showing persistence and strong command leadership.
On 6 March 1943, in battle for the village of Kulikov, the enemy created a strong, well-prepared defensive node. Comrade Gorokhov skillfully positioned firing points and, being with one of the crews, quickly changed positions, laying down intense machine-gun fire, despite mortal danger, directly in front of the enemy. Thanks to the clear work of the machine-gun crews, the resistance of the enemy was broken.
On 11 March 1943, in battle for the village of Nikolskov, Vyazemsky District, Comrade Gorokhov, with two crews of his company, covertly moved to the enemy flank and, suddenly opening machine-gun fire, caused panic in the enemy ranks. The rifle companies of the battalion freed the village from Hitlerites without losses.
In fierce battles, Comrade Gorokhov personally destroyed enemy firing positions with machine-gun fire, inflicting heavy losses on the Nazis and facilitating the actions of our rifle units.
Comrade Gorokhov is worthy of a government award.
More information on Captain Gorokhov can be found here
Tragically, Captain Gorokhov was killed in September (!) 1945 while serving on active duty during the Soviet occupation of Germany. Archival loss records and postwar personnel lists identify him as having been killed in action during service, not from illness or administrative causes. A separate pension register confirms his death date in September 1945 and shows that official survivor benefits were granted to his widow and child, formally recognizing his death as a service-related combat loss after the end of the war. Gorokhov was buried in a mass cemetery in Nauen, Brandenburg, Germany.
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