Single page format, measures approx. 8 ¼" x 6". The citation is of an unusual format in terms of design. In black and white, with Stalin's photo top center. Signed by the Unit Commander.

In excellent condition. Despite being printed on thin low-quality paper very often used in WW2 citations, it is very well preserved, with only minimal wear along the edges and at the corners, and even and very mild age toning of the paper. The graphics, text, typed-in lettering, the unit ink stamp and signature of the unit commander in red pencil are clear and fresh.

Then battery commander o

Single page format, measures approx. 8 ¼" x 6". The citation is of an unusual format in terms of design. In black and white, with Stalin's photo top center. Signed by the Unit Commander.

In excellent condition. Despite being printed on thin low-quality paper very often used in WW2 citations, it is very well preserved, with only minimal wear along the edges and at the corners, and even and very mild age toning of the paper. The graphics, text, typed-in lettering, the unit ink stamp and signature of the unit commander in red pencil are clear and fresh.

Then battery commander of the 282nd Guards Anti-tank Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Separate Anti-tank Artillery Brigade, 5th Shock Army of the 1st Belorussian Front, Guards Captain Vasiliy Tarasenko was born in 1920 into a Ukrainian peasant family in a village in Bashkiria (currently Bashkortostan, a part of Russian Federation). He joined the Red Army in 1940, and in 1943 he graduated from the Vladivostok anti-tank artillery school and was commissioned for active duty.

In the battles on the streets of Berlin, the battery of Tarasenko skillfully accompanied the infantry and organized effective fire support for the advancing troops. To cite just one episode, Tarasenko with his orderly under heavy fire, crawled to a bunker and fired 12 Panzerfaust rounds destroying the entire enemy crew of 35.

In total, during the Battle of Berlin Tarasenko's battery destroyed more than 130 enemy soldiers, up to 40 Panzerfausts, 15 machine guns, 7 guns and 4 tanks. Tarasenko was wounded twice but did not leave the battlefield.

On 31 May, 1945, Captain Vasiliy Tarasenko was made Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and exemplary performance on the battlefield. During WW2 he was also awarded with the Order of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, Order of Patriotic War 1st cl. and a number of various medals.

Research Materials: photocopy of the article about Tarasenko in the official Soviet era catalog Heroes of the Soviet Union (contains his photo). Ample additional information about him is available on many Russian-language websites such as Warheroes.ru and Podvignaroda.ru.
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