Order of the Red Star, 511589, to a Staff Officer

[Bill Garvy]

Award Card

Order Booklet B-737546

1. Last name: Dernovskii
2. Name and patrionymic: Elya Mendelevich
3. Rank: Reserve Captain
4. Gender: Male
5. Birthyear: 1913
6. Birthplace: Nevel, Kal. Oblast
7. Party membership: since 1942
8. Education: upper level
9. Nationality: Jewish
10. Time in Red Army: 1940-23.12.45
11. Place of service at awarding: 706th Artillery Regiment, 177th Rifle Division, Volkhov Front – Artillery Battalion Chief of Staff
12. Place of work at present: LenTransProject, October Region – Engineer
13. Home address: Leningrad, Decembrists St. #7, Apt. 8

14. Awards:
Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization

Red Star 511.859 Volkhov Front, 54th Army dated 9.2.1944

Verified by October Regional Military Commissariat Lieutenant Colonel Smirnov on 17th February, 1947.

[Bill Garvy]

His citation originally recommended him for an Order of the Patriotic War in 2nd Class, but was "downgraded" to a Red Star. I often wonder what was the thinking behind such decisions by the higher command in the Red Army, especially in light of the brutal conditions described below.

Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Dernovskii, Elya Mendelevich
2. Rank: Senior Lieutenant
3. Duty position: Chief of Staff – 3rd Artillery Battalion, 706th Artillery Regiment, 177th Rifle Division
Recommendation for the Order of the Patriotic War II Class
4. Born: 1913
5. Nationality: Jewish
6. Party membership: yes
7. Previous combat: since 22nd June, 1941
8. Wounds or shell-shock: wounded 26.12.1941
9. In Red Army: since 20.8.1940
10. Inducted by: Oktyabrskii Regional Military Commissariat, Leningrad
11. Previous awards: Defense of Leningrad Medal
12. Home of record: Leningrad, Batenin St. #9/39, Apt. 210

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment

While organizing the battalion’s fire during the pursuit of the enemy from 21-29.01.44, Senior Lieutenant E.M. Dernovskii supported the successful flood of our infantry and occupation of 14 population centers. In fighting for the village of Varvarinskoe while supporting the 1st Rifle Battalion, 502nd Rifle Regiment, he repelled two German counterattacks trying to surround our penetrating units, at which time the artillery battalion’s fire destroyed as many as 80 enemy soldiers and officers, thus supporting our infantry’s occupation of the village of Varvarinskoe. Noticing an enemy convoy of as many as 300 men retreating from the village of Varvarinskoe in a southwest direction, he concentrated the battalion’s fire, ending the open enemy retreat and destroying as many as 50 soldiers and officers.

While occupying the city of Lyuban the battalion’s fire suppressed two enemy artillery and three mortar batteries, as well as six machinegun positions, thus supporting the success of our infantry’s occupation of the northern part of Lyuban.

For displayed courage, valor, and capable actions he is deserving of the Order of the Patriotic War II Class.
Signed Commander, 706th Artillery Regiment, Major Butoriya and Acting Chief of Staff Senior Lieutenant Matyush on 30th January, 1944

Endorsed Artillery Commander, 177th Rifle Division, Colonel Zimin on 31st January, 1944

Recommended downgrade to Order of the Red Star by Commander, 177th Rifle Division, Colonel Uygainov on 2nd February, 1944

Endorsed downgrade to Order of the Red Star by 54 Army Artillery Commander General-Major of Artillery Petropavlovskii on 9th February, 1944.

[Bill Garvy]

Captain Dernovskii's Order of the Red Star. . .

[GIZMO8Z]

Love the citation! How many of these things do you have?!

[Bill Garvy]

As I have said before, one can never have too many Orders of the Red Star. . .