Two Orders of the Red Star from the museum’s collection belonged to Captain Nikolay Zhigulyov. He joined the Red Army in 1935, and in January 1942, he was sent to the front line.

Zhigulyov served as the Assistant Chief of Staff in the 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps of the Order of Lenin and later as a communications officer. He recalled his duties:

Captain Zhigulyov participated in Stalingrad, Rostov, Rzhev, and Neman battles. In 1944, when the Soviet troops liberated the city of Grodno, his unit conducted heavy battles with the first-class Hitler divisions “Dead Head” and “Viking”. After each operation, new orders and medals appeared on Zhigulyov’s military shirt. In total, the officer received seven awards: the Order of the Red Banner, three Orders of the Red Star, and two Orders of the Patriotic War, as well as the medal ‘For the Defense of Stalingrad’.

The Order of the Red Star, established in 1930, was awarded in wartime for successful combat operations and skillful leadership of a group of soldiers. In the Soviet Union, this Order became the most massive award: more than 3 million people received it in total.

The government award of the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, Zhigulyov received in Europe:

Provided the Corps command with timely quality cipher communications with lower headquarters. Disregarding the conditions and environment, Comrade Zhigulyov always worked selflessly and conscientiously. All telegrams handled by him were accurate, transmitted and delivered to the addressees in a timely manner.