Title: Red Army Soldier_x000D_ Branch of troops: Ground Forces, Air Force (except naval aviation), coastal service, NKVD troops, border troops Subdivision: 2nd Cavalry Division. _x000D_ I know about my great-grandfather Ivan Timofeevich Tikhonov from the words of my grandfather. Great-grandfather was born in 1905 in the village of Dedilovo, Dedilovsky district, Tula Region. He was drafted into the ranks of the Red Army by the Dedilovsky District Military Commissariat, Tula Region in June 1941. At the beginning of his service, he was a driver, and then a telephone operator of the 2nd Guards Communications Division, 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps. He was proud of his first award, the “Excellent Signal Engineer” badge. The second was the medal "For Military Merit" received in March 1943. _x000D_ From the award list: “During combat operations, he worked to provide internal communications to the corps headquarters. Being in the artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire zone, he showed himself to be a bold and agile communication technician. He is characterized by clarity in work, composure and constant confidence in success and the feeling of fear in moments of danger is alien. Timely answer to the call and connection for negotiations are instilled in him and he honestly performs it. For others, it is an example in work and discipline.”_x000D_ Great-grandfather himself experienced all the hardships and horrors of the war. _x000D_ The Order of Glory, III degree, was awarded to Ivan Timofeevich in February 1945. Great-grandfather in life was a calm and very balanced person. After the war he worked hard to restore the national economy, raised two children (my grandmother Nelya and her brother Eugene), lived a decent life and passed away at the age of 90. Dad and mom often tell me about my ancestors. and I am very proud of them!