Posthumous ORB to Private Frolov
Inviato: dom ott 01, 2017 9:01 pm
It seems that citations from the summer months of 1941 are generally the most horrible, intense, and grim. Although the Soviets fought some vicious battles later on, many of the 1941 citations really give a sense of the desperation and tenacity exhibited during the war. I came across this posthumous Red Banner citation today and just wanted to share it.
I don't own the Red Banner; in fact, the Red Banner doesn't even exist, since posthumous Red Banners were never sent home to the next of kin. It remained a decoration 'on paper' and his next of kin received nothing but a death notification. Private Semyon Frolov died at the age of 23.
I don't own the Red Banner; in fact, the Red Banner doesn't even exist, since posthumous Red Banners were never sent home to the next of kin. It remained a decoration 'on paper' and his next of kin received nothing but a death notification. Private Semyon Frolov died at the age of 23.
He is dedicated to the Party of Lenin and Stalin and the Socialist Motherland. Serving in the Battery as a gun layer, he was elected Secretary of the Battery's Komsomol Organization. He served as an example of a true and dignified Komsomol member, and for his exemplary efforts he was given a number of commendations. During the fighting on July 6 and 7, 1941, when the Battery was encircled by the enemy, comrade Frolov and one of the gun crew members fired case shot at point-blank range in direct fire mode, gunning down the enemy. A heap of dead German-fascist bodies, killed by his case shot, piled up in front of his gun, but suddenly the gun jammed. Facing an enemy onslaught, comrade Frolov withdrew toward a height, where he was wounded twice, in his stomach and arm, and from all sides he was surrounded by enemy troops. The fascists attempted to capture him alive, but our courageous Komsomol member remained dedicated to his motherland and his people until the end, killing 4 fascists at point-blank range with his rifle. He continued fighting the enemy, but at this point he was wounded a third time, in his right arm, and his rifle was knocked out of his hands. The despicable fascists surrounded him from all sides and tried to take our courageous soldier prisoner. Finding himself in a situation with no way out, comrade Frolov pulled a razor out of his boot with his left hand, shouting that Komsomol members do not surrender, and cut his own throat.
Because of his brave and courageous feats, comrade Frolov deserves to be granted the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union' and to be awarded the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal.
