Order of Glory 3rd Class SN409181

• Surname: Manukyan
• First Name and Patronymic: Vagan Apetovich
• Military Rank: Red Army Soldier
• Gender: Male
• Year of Birth: 1912
• Place of Birth: Churaktara Village (Turkey)
• Political Affiliation: Joined the Communist Party in 1932
• Education Level: Higher Education
• Ethnicity: Armenian
• Service in the Soviet Army: 1941 - 1945
• Unit and Position at the Time of Award:
  • 10th Assault Division (as written in the original document)
  • Reconnaissance Officer, 154th Gun Artillery Brigade
• Current Employment and Position: Unemployed
• Home Address:
  • 29th Street, House No. 123, Leninakan City, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic

• Military Rank: Red Army Soldier
• Unit and Position:
  • 154th Red Banner Kherson Gun Artillery Brigade, 3rd Battalion Headquarters
  • Reconnaissance Officer - Observer
  • Award Recommendation: Order of Glory, 3rd Class
• Year of Birth: 1912
• Ethnicity: Armenian
• Political Affiliation: Joined the Communist Party in 1932
• Participation in Wars:
  • Since September 20, 1941, fought in the Southern Front, North Caucasus Front, 4th and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts, and 1st and 3rd Belorussian Fronts during the Great Patriotic War.
• Wounds or Concussions:
  • Wounded on July 14, 1943, and March 24, 1945
• Date of Enlistment: July 1941
• Conscription Location:
  • Leninakan City Military Commissariat, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic
• Previous Awards:
  • Medal for Bravery – Order No. 09 (November 2, 1943) (as written in the original document)
  • Medal for Combat Merit – Order No. 3 (February 10, 1945) – 154th Gun Artillery Brigade

Summary of Actions:

On the front lines against German invaders, Comrade Manukyan demonstrated himself as a fearless, professional, and resolute reconnaissance officer.

During combat in East Prussia, particularly in the operation to eliminate the encircled German forces southwest of Königsberg from February 18 to March 10, 1945, he advanced within infantry battle formations, successfully identifying five enemy artillery batteries and four mortar batteries obstructing Soviet forces.

On March 24, 1945, while operating within Soviet infantry assault formations, he located two enemy heavy machine guns positioned on the western bank of the Ilfut River, which were hindering the Soviet infantry advance. He corrected artillery fire onto these enemy positions, leading to their destruction.

Under heavy enemy fire, Manukyan’s observation post was directly targeted. Despite being injured by mortar shell fragments, he remained on the battlefield, continuing to adjust fire, which ultimately led to the destruction of the two enemy machine guns, allowing Soviet infantry to penetrate the eastern outskirts of Heiligenbeil.

Between April 6 and April 9, 1945, once again advancing with infantry units under heavy enemy shelling, he identified five more enemy strongpoints, which were subsequently neutralized or destroyed.

Award Recommendation:

• He is deserving of the Order of Glory, 3rd Class.

Brigade Commander: Colonel Yuskevich
Date: April 30, 1945

Final Approval:

• Approved by the commander of the 10th Gumbinnen Breakthrough Artillery Division of the Supreme High Command Reserve, recipient of the Suvorov Order
• Guards Major General of Artillery, Strelulev