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Grigory Petrovich Starov Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class nr. 49137 was posthumously awarded by Order of the 54th Army of April 30, 1944 to 26-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Grigory Petrovich Starov, commander of the 1467th Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 54th Army, Leningrad Front. 
Grigory Starov was born on May 21, 1917 in a small village near Chkalov (Orenburg) in southern Russia, not far from the Kazakh border. In November 1935, shortly after finishing high school, he joined the army. Starov enrolled at Sevastopol Antiaircraft Artillery School and after graduating in the spring of 1938 he was promoted to Lieutenant. Starov was given command of an antiaircraft artillery platoon stationed in the Byelorussian Military District. On June 21, 1941, just one day before the German invasion, he was promoted to Senior Lieutenant. Starov rapidly climbed up the ranks: within a few months he was promoted to chief adjutant, then chief of staff, and later deputy commmander of the 216th Independent Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in the Volkhov Front's 59th Army. By early 1942 he had attained the rank of Captain and in July he was nominated for a Combat Merit Medal, which was to be his first decoration. Later that same year he was appointed as commander of the 216th Battalion and promoted to Major. Throughout 1943 Starov's battalion was deployed along the Volkhov River. Before long, Starov reached the zenith of his career when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on October 14, 1943 and given command of the 1467th Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment in the sector of the Volkhov Front's 54th Army. Starov was only 26 and it had been just five years since he had graduated and been given a commission. At this time an antiaircraft artillery regiment consisted of 100 76-mm or 85-mm artillery pieces, 3 37-mm guns, and 25 quadruple machine guns mounted on trucks. In December 1943 Starov was awarded his second decoration, an Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class. Lieutenant Colonel Starov was killed in action on April 5, 1944, at the age of 26. He had been inspecting his regiment's firing positions on the front line. One day later, the deputy army commander recommended Starov for a posthumous Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class. The order was officially awarded on April 30, 1944 and sent to Starov's wife, Valentina Alekseyevna. Starov himself was given a field grave, most likely near the city of Porkhov, which is located some 250 kilometers south of Saint Petersburg and which had been liberated by the 54th Army just over a month earlier. It seems that the gravesite was turned into an official war cemetery in 1951. It is now the final resting place of 5,257 World War Two casualties. A monument of a mourning soldier was erected, in front of which 18 granite plates list the names of all casualties buried here. Award citation [for his Medal for Combat Merit] All fields to be filled out fully Last name, first name and patronymic: Starov, Grigory Petrovich Nominated for: Medal for Combat Merit 1. Year of birth: 1917 Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: G.P. Starov, deputy commander of the 216th Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, has been serving at the front since day one of the Patriotic War. He takes initiative and is a rising commander. He often helps the battery commanders in their activities. He passes on his knowledge to the men of the battalion on an everyday basis. In a period of 5 months on the Volkhov Front, the battalion shot down 27 enemy aircraft. Comrade Starov deserves the Medal for Combat Merit. Commander of the 216th Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the Air Defense Forces Military commissar of the 216th Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the Air Defense Forces Award citation [for his OPW2] All fields to be filled out fully 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Starov, Grigory Petrovich Nominated for: Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class 4. Year of birth: 1917 Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: As the commander of the 216th Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, comrade Starov organized the combat training of the men of the battalion in an excellent manner and achieved a high level of combat readiness. In combat with fascist aircraft, comrade Starov's battalion carried out its combat mission in an excellent manner. During the period between November 1941 and December 1942 the battalion shot down 65 enemy aircraft. For their successes in combat the battalion received the "guards" status (being renamed to 11th Guards Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion) and comrade Starov was promoted to regimental commander. Since December 15, 1942 comrade Starov has been serving as the commander of the 1467th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, making sure that the men of his regiment work together perfectly and achieving a high level of combat readiness of the regiment. The batteries of the regiment shot down 43 and damaged 4 enemy aircraft. 4 of them were shot down and 1 was damaged under comrade Starov's direct supervision. The last enemy aircraft (a Me-110) was shot down in November 1943 in the sector of the 54th Army. In difficult fighting conditions comrade Starov showed himself a strong-willed, decisive, and brave officer with great organizational skills. His personal qualities in large part enabled the successes of the combat actions of the units under his command. Among the men of the regiment he in considered a major authority. He is dedicated to the Party of Lenin and Stalin. For the excellent results of the combat actions of his battalion and regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Starov, a brave, sophisticated officer, deserves the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class. Deputy artillery commander for air defense of the 54th Army Award citation [for his OPW1] All fields to be filled out fully 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Starov, Grigory Petrovich Short, concrete description of personal combat feat or merits: As a regimental commander he achieved cohesion and a high level of combat proficiency among the men of the regiment. During our troops' offensive he made sure that the forward advancing units were supported with artillery fire. Personally displaying bravery, courage, and cold-bloodedness in combat, he achieved a high level of fortitude among the men of the regiment during artillery shellings or bombardments of our firing positions. During combat missions he personally led the march of the units to the foremost line of defense. Covering the combat formations of the advancing troops, Lieutenant Colonel Starov's regiment in the course of just one month, between March 6, 1944 and April 6, 1944, shot down thirty-one (31) enemy aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Starov was killed in action while reconnoitering firing positions near the front line. Up until the very end of his life he remained dedicated to the cause of the Party of Lenin and Stalin and the socialist motherland. Lieutenant Colonel Starov deserves to be awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class posthumously. Deputy artillery commander for air defense of the 54th Army 
Grigory Petrovich Starov 
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class nr. 49137, obverse and reverse Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
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