Order of the Red Banner for a T34 tank comander in Berlin

1. Full Name and Patronymic: Afanasyev

2. Military Rank:
   Guards Junior Lieutenant

3. Unit and Position:
   Tank commander of a T-34 tank, 2nd Battalion, 64th Independent Guards Red Banner Chernivtsi Tank Brigade, awarded the Order of Lenin

4. Award Recommendation:
   1st Class Order of the Patriotic War

5. Year of Birth:
   1922

6. Nationality:
   Russian

7. Political Affiliation:
   Joined Komsomol (Communist Youth League) in 1939

8. Participation in Civil War, Subsequent Soviet Defense Battles, and Great Patriotic War:
   Participating in the Great Patriotic War since August 1941

9. Wounds or Concussions:
   Lightly wounded in November 1941 and August 1942

10. Date of Enlistment:
    July 1941

11. Conscription Location:
    Bologoye District Military Commissariat, Kalinin Oblast

12. Previously Awarded Decorations:
    None

13. Home Address:
    [Not specified]

Service Record Summary:

As a T-34 tank commander of the 2nd Battalion, Comrade Afanasyev demonstrated himself to be a disciplined, brave, and proactive Red Army officer, showing excellent mastery of his duties.

From April 18, 1945, in battles near Berlin, in the regions of Regenmantel and Buchholz, he displayed exemplary courage and the ability to defeat the enemy. He maneuvered skillfully on the battlefield and delivered fierce, accurate fire. He was among the first to break into the enemy positions, destroying:

• 1 self-propelled artillery piece
• 3 armored personnel carriers
• 1 heavy howitzer battery
• Over 30 Hitlerites (enemy soldiers)

In the battles within Berlin itself, his tank actions were bold and decisive. He was the first to cross a water obstacle and enter Berlin. During the fighting, when the platoon commander was killed and Afanasyev himself was wounded, he took initiative, leading the platoon and capturing 17 city blocks in Berlin. In the process, they eliminated:

• 1 medium tank
• 1 artillery battery
• 24 enemy firing positions
• About 80 Hitlerites

For his outstanding combat actions against German invaders, he is deemed worthy of the 1st Class Order of the Patriotic War.

Battalion Commander, Guards Captain Androshchuk
05.04.1945

Additionally, for continued excellence, he is recommended for the 2nd Class Order of the Patriotic War.

Brigade Commander, Guards Colonel Boyko
05.05.1945

Awarded the Order of the Red Banner:
Commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army,
Guards Tank Forces Colonel General Katukov,
Military Commissar Guards Tank Forces Lieutenant General Popely
05.15.1945