The Polyarny Museum of History and Local Lore presents shoulder straps made in the 1950s–1960s that belonged to Vice Admiral Alexander Vasilyevich Kuzmin.
Alexander Kuzmin was the head of the brigade of torpedo boats of the Northern Fleet from March 1, 1944 — the day of its inception. When the Great Patriotic War began, there were no torpedo boats in the North yet. With the outbreak of the war, a detachment of D-3 torpedo boats was transferred from the Baltic to the North. Later, a separate torpedo boat division was formed, and in 1944 — a brigade. As a person experienced in serving on torpedo boats, Captain of the 1st сlass, Alexander Kuzmin, was transferred from the Pacific Fleet to command the newly formed unit.
In October 1944, torpedo boats provided a landing at the port of Liinakhamari. The torpedo boat brigade was given the name “Pechengskaya” for playing an integral part in the liberation of Pechenga during the Petsamo-Kirkenes offensive. The brigade received two awards: the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of Ushakov, 1st сlass.
From the beginning of 1945, Brigade Commander Kuzmin was transferred to the Baltic Fleet, where he successfully commanded a brigade of torpedo boats, applying extensive experience in combat operations in the Northern Fleet. In his book, “In Coastal Waters” Vice Admiral Kuzmin wrote vivid and captivating stories about the feats of his subordinates, about how sailors lived and studied, about brave people, and about how young commanders gained experience and skill.
After the end of the Great Patriotic War, Kuzmin became a naval attache in Turkey, then commander of the Caspian Military Flotilla. He was a highly educated officer and possessed the qualities of a great leader, a research scientist, and a teacher. On June 30, 1960, Rear Admiral Kuzmin was appointed head of the Nakhimov Higher Naval Engineer Institute. He occupied this position for over five years, until November 13, 1965. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Nakhimov 1st class, the Order of Ushakov 2nd class, the Norwegian Order of the Cross of Freedom as well as medals and weapons. He died in Sevastopol on November 13, 1965.
