USSR. Order of Nevsky, 2nd type, #5568. Rimlyand Yakov Lazarovich. Jewish nationality for Berlin Offensive.

Rimlyand Yakov Lazarovich

This citation was written during the Berlin Offensive. The action described occurred on 17 April 1945, immediately after Soviet forces crossed the Oder River and were advancing toward Berlin. At the time, Rimlyand was serving in the elite 20th Guards Mortar Red Banner Brigade, a formation equipped with Katyusha rocket launchers.

Award Citation Translation

Award Citation

1. Last Name, First Name, Patronymic:
Rimlyand Yakov Lazarovich

2. Rank:
Guards Senior Lieutenant

Position:
Commander of a Battery, Park Division, 20th Guards Mortar Red Banner Brigade

3. Recommended for Award:
Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class

4. Year of Birth:
1913

5. Nationality:
Jewish

6. Party Membership:
Member of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)

7. Participation in the Civil War and subsequent military actions in defense of the USSR:
In the Great Patriotic War since 1941. Graduated from the Kalinin Military School and the Leningrad Artillery Courses.

8. Wounds and Contusions:
Two light wounds.

9. Since when in the Red Army:
Since 1941.

10. Drafted by:
Ukhtomsky District Military Commissariat, Moscow Region.

11. Previous Awards:
Order of the Red Star, awarded by Order No. 09 of the 20th Guards Mortar Brigade, 1944.

Description of Personal Combat Feat

Comrade Rimlyand is a participant in the combat operations of the division.

In battles against the German invaders he demonstrated courage, skill, and personal heroism.

On 17 April 1945, during combat operations in the area of the Oder River crossing, while carrying out a combat mission, Comrade Rimlyand was escorting a convoy of vehicles loaded with ammunition. The convoy came under enemy artillery fire. One of the vehicles was damaged, creating a traffic bottleneck on the road.

Thanks to Comrade Rimlyand’s determination, despite the mortal danger, he quickly dispersed the convoy, eliminated the blockage, organized the transfer of ammunition from the damaged vehicle, and ensured its timely delivery to the firing positions. On the return journey, the damaged vehicle was evacuated and subsequently restored.

Through his courageous actions and determination, Comrade Rimlyand proved himself worthy of the government award — the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class.

Commander of the Park Division
Guards Major (signature)

25 April 1945