Valentin Iskhakovich Mardanov, Major, Political Instructor (commissar) of 114th Separate Reserve Motorized Regiment. From 1942 to 1944 Regiment was stationed in the town of Sergach, Gorkiy region. The cadets were trained to ride motorcycles at high speed through a minefield so that mines would explode behind them, thereby clearing the way for tanks. The Regiment, transformed into ank regiment in 1944, was redeployed to the city of Berdichev, Zhytomyr region.