Order of Glory 3rd Class. SN251881

Kopeyka Pyotr Nikiforovich was born in Pavlovka, Kharkov—now one of the key contested areas in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As a Soviet veteran who participated in the Battle of Lake Khasan, he experienced nearly the entirety of the Soviet-German War. During the liberation campaign in Poland, he destroyed 3 tanks—including 2 Tiger tanks—and earned the Order of Glory, 3rd Class for his bravery.

Registration Card

1. Surname: Kopeyka

2. Name and Patronymic: Pyotr Nikiforovich

3. Military Unit: Red Army soldier of the Guards

4. Gender: Male

5. Date of Birth: 1915

6. Place of Birth: Barabash town, Primorsky Krai

7. Party Membership: Non-party

8. Education Level: Primary education

9. Nationality: Ukrainian

10. Military Service Period: From September 1941 to October 1945

11. Military Unit and Role:
    Red Army, 1st Belorussian Front
    26th Guards Rifle Artillery Regiment
    Reserve Command of the 8th Guards Rifle Division
    Role: Anti-tank gunner

12. Workplace and Position:
    Coal Production Cooperative (now within the Kemerovo region)

13. Home Address:
    Barabash town, Khasansky district, Primorsky Krai

14. All Received Awards:

Signature: Kopeyka Pyotr

Signed by:
Vice Chairman of the Military Council of Khasansky district
Administrative Officer (name unclear)
Date: July 4, 1947

Award Card

1. Name, Patronymic, and Surname: Kopeyka, Pyotr Nikiforovich

2. Military Unit: Red Army soldier of the Guards

3. Unit and Reason for Award:
   Awarded the Order of Glory 2nd Class by the Headquarters of the Reserve Command of the 26th Guards Rifle Artillery Regiment

4. Date of Birth: 1915

5. Nationality: Ukrainian

6. Party Membership: Non-party

7. Participation in Civil War, Other Wars, or Defense of USSR:
   Participated in the Battle of Lake Khasan in 1938 (Lake Khasan is located west of Posyet settlement in Primorsky Krai);
   July–August 1938 – Soviet Army vs. Kwantung Army at Lake Khasan;
   Ultimately Soviet victory.
   Participated in the Great Patriotic War starting on September 9, 1941

8. Wounds or Contusions: Wounded lightly on April 18, 1942 and February 27, 1945

9. Military Service Since: 1941

10. Mobilized by: Draft board of Barabash town, Khasansky district, Primorsky Krai

11. First Decoration:
    Red Star Medal, awarded by the Headquarters of the Reserve Command of the 26th Guards Rifle Artillery Regiment on September 29, 1944

12. Family Members: None

13. Short Biography:

From February 23 to 27, 1945, during the fighting for liberation of the Polish city of Kolobrzeg from the Germans, Kopeyka Pyotr Nikiforovich was part of a group ordered to break through enemy defenses and reach the city center.

On February 27, Kopeyka’s unit came under enemy fire during an assault. Though he was slightly wounded, he remained in battle and only left when ordered. His anti-tank gun destroyed:

• 1 enemy tank

• 2 self-propelled guns

• 4 armored transports

• 2 trucks

• 2 enemy defensive bunkers

• 2 enemy buildings

• and killed 65 enemy soldiers and officers.

For courage, bravery, and success in completing the mission, Kopeyka Pyotr Nikiforovich was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class.

Signed:
Deputy Commander of the 26th Guards Rifle Artillery Regiment
Major of the Guards: Koselin
March 9, 1945

Further citation:
Awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class
Signed: Chief of Staff of the 26th Guards Rifle Artillery Regiment, Guards Captain Karpenko
March 11, 1945

Awarded again the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class
Signed: Commander of the 8th Guards Rifle Division, Guards Colonel Vavilov
March 1945