Order of the Red Star, #1746520, Platoon Leader

**Bill Garvy** · 11-25-2011, 11:27 PM

A. Personnel Card

1. Last name: Kafanov
2. Name and Patrionymic: Aleksandr Ivanovich
3. Rank: Guards Lieutenant
4. Sex: Male
5. Year of Birth: 1924
6. Place of birth: Chkalov Oblast, Sharlyskskii Region, Zerklo Village
7. Party Membership: since 1.1945
8. Education: elementary
9. Nationality: Russian
10. Time in the Soviet Army: since 9.1942
11. Place of service and duty position at time of awarding: 89th Guards Rifle Division, 5th Shock Army; Rifle Platoon Leader
12. Place of service and duty at present: 75th Guards Mechanized Regiment, 23rd Guards Mechanized Division; Machinegun Platoon Leader
13. Awardee's address: Tashkent Oblast, Chirchik, St. Azad-Bash
14. Awards Number Awarder

Bravery Medal 962.720 223rd Rifle Division dated 18.3.44
Patriotic War II 170.364 68th Rifle Corps dated 25.5.44
Red Star 1.746.520 89th Guards Rifle Division dated 7.3.45
Patriotic War I 222.142 26th Guards Rifle Corps dated 28.5.45
Victory over Germany Medal Edict dated 9.5.45
Capture of Berlin Medal Edict dated 9.6.45

Verified on 20th August, 1946

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 11-25-2011 11:27 PM

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**Bill Garvy** · 11-25-2011, 11:36 PM

AWARD SHEET

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Kafanov, Aleksandr Ivanovich
2. Rank: Guards Lieutenant
3. Duty position and unit: Platoon Leader, 7th Rifle Company, 270th Guards Red Banner Rifle Regiment, 89th Guards Belgorod Kharkov Red Banner Rifle Division

Application for the Order of the Red Star

4. Birthyear: 19.5.1924
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: candidate member in 1944
7. Participation in combat: Western, Bryansk, Voronezh, Steppe, 2nd Ukrainian, 3rd Ukrainian, and 1st Belorussian Front since 12.12.42
8. Wounds or contusions: 27.3.44 wounded. Returned to duty.
9. In Red Army: since 9.10.1942
10. Inducted by: Chirchik Regional Military Commissariat, Tashkent Oblast; career military
11. Earlier awards: OPW II on 25.5.44, Bravery Medal on 18.3.44
12. Permanent address and NOK: Chirchik, Tashkent Oblast, Elektric Combine; Father: Kafanov, Ivan Prokofevich

Short description of personal, combat feat or service

While expanding the bridgehead on the western shore of the Oder on the approaches to the city of Zechen on 20th February, 1945, Comrade Kofanov and his platoon were among the first to advance and boldly and valorously repelled three enemy counterattacks under heavy enemy machinegun and mortar fire. Comrade Kofanov’s platoon destroyed as many as 25 German officers and soldiers, two machinegun positions, and suppressed a mortar position in this fighting. During this battle Comrade Kofanov personally killed seven German soldiers and captured two.

For valor and courage in battle with the German occupiers, he is deserving of the Order of the Red Star.

Signed Guards Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, Commander, 270th Guards Rifle Regiment on 24th February, 1945
Endorsed Guards Colonel Esipenko, Commander, 89th Guards Rifle Division on 5th March, 1945

Awarded the Order of the Red Star by Order 012/N of the 89th Guards Rifle Division dated 7th March, 1945.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 11-25-2011, 11:41 PM

Love the citation!

**Bill Garvy** · 11-25-2011, 11:46 PM

Thank you, Adrian!

**GIZMO8Z** · 01-12-2012, 04:52 AM

Awesome award and awesome citation!

Does the top arm of the star have a hint of purple to it... or are my eyes deceiving me?

**Bill Garvy** · 01-12-2012, 01:41 PM

by GIZMO8Z

Awesome award and awesome citation!

Does the top arm of the star have a hint of purple to it... or are my eyes deceiving me?

Thanks Giz, and yes, I think your eyes are playing tricks on you. It's a quality of Soviet enamel work that highlights this characteristic translucence in different light settings, for example, a scanner light versus a photograph in natural light will each bring out a different luminesence.

**GIZMO8Z** · 01-12-2012, 02:27 PM

by Bill Garvy

Thanks Giz, and yes, I think your eyes are playing tricks on you. It's a quality of Soviet enamel work that highlights this characteristic translucence in different light settings, for example, a scanner light versus a photograph in natural light will each bring out a different luminesence.