Order of the Red Star Awarded to Captain Pavel Leontyev
**Citation:**
Captain Leontyev, during the preparation for offensive operations of the 293rd Rifle Division, organized and personally conducted reconnaissance with the objective of determining the forward edge of the enemy’s defenses, the disposition of enemy forces and fire assets, which made it possible to correctly organize the breakthrough of the enemy’s Romanian-German defenses.
During offensive operations, Captain Leontyev systematically directed the reconnaissance activities of the division’s reconnaissance units, correctly assessed the situation, timely revealed the enemy’s intentions, his grouping, and the most vulnerable points, thereby ensuring the most effective actions of the division’s units and subunits.
Along with reconnaissance work, Comrade Leontyev carried out a number of responsible assignments of an operational nature, executing them with maximum clarity, accuracy, and neatness.
The actions of Captain Leontyev in organizing and conducting the breakthrough and in ensuring the successful advance of the units deserve high recognition and merit a government award — the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class.
**Summary and Observations for his award downgrade:**
Captain Pavel Leontyev served as Chief of the 2nd (Intelligence) Section of the 293rd Rifle Division during critical offensive operations on the Eastern Front in late 1942. He personally organized and conducted reconnaissance missions to identify enemy defensive positions, troop concentrations, and firing systems, enabling Soviet forces to plan and execute successful breakthroughs against German and Romanian lines. Throughout the offensive, he skillfully directed divisional intelligence, accurately assessing enemy intentions and exposing weak points, ensuring effective coordination of advancing units.
For these actions, Leontyev was originally recommended for the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class. This recommendation was approved through the chain of command up to the Commanding General of the 21st Army. However, when the final award order (*prikaz*) was issued by the Don Front in February 1943 following the victory at Stalingrad, the award was downgraded to the Order of the Red Star. Similar downgrades were common among officers in his formation, many of whom were initially recommended for higher decorations such as the Order of the Red Banner.
Leontyev’s service reflects the vital role of intelligence officers in securing one of the decisive victories of the war.
Pavel Emelyanovich Leontyev would survive the war and attain the rank of Major. From his service in the Great Patriotic War he earned The medal of Bravery (June 3rd, 1942), Order of the Red Star (Jan 9th, 1943), Order of the Great Patriotic War (Dec 21st, 1943), Defense of Stalingrad medal (Dec 22nd, 1942), and the Victory over Germany medal (May 9th, 1945). Records indicate he left service on May 24th, 1957.