The Other Tolchinskys--Into WWII

Last week, I wrote about my great-great grandfather's half brother Hirsch Tolchinsky's family who had stayed in the Russian Empire, while my great-great grandfather and his family emigrated to America.  That post discussed a tribunal held for Hirsch's son Vissarion/Israel-Isser (in which Hirsch was referred to as Grigory) in 1922--whose verdict looked like it spelled disaster for the Tolchinsky family.

But Eugene Krasnov commented on my Google Plus account to let me know that it was not the last we would hear of the Tolchinsky family--or of Vissarion/Israel-Isser.

Medal Citation for Israel Tolchinsky

Israel Tolchinsky received a medal during World War II fighting for the Soviet Union, as can be seen here.  The citation on top translates as follows (thanks again to Eugene Krasnov):

Awarding of the medal "for victory over Germany" in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45.

September 15 1945, I, head of the 151 aerial workshop of the Air Force MVO. Major Bykov Alexey Andreevich, on the basis of the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 9, 1945, were awarded medals "for the victory over Germany" in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 the following personnel of aviation workshops

The third person on the list is Israel Grigor’yevich Tolchinsky.

The actual webpage gives additional information:

• Место рождения: Украинская ССР, Черниговская обл., с. Лосиновка
• Воинская часть:стационарная ав. мастерская 151 ВВС МВО
• Кто наградил: Президиум ВС СССР
• Наименование награды: Медаль «За победу над Германией в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.»
• Номер фонда ист. информации 135
• Номер описи ист. информации 12761
• Номер дела ист. информации 760
• Архив ЦАМО 

This tells us that this is my relative, as he was born in Losinovka, Chernigov Province, Ukraine Soviet Socialist Republic.  He was an Engineer-Captain, and he received this metal from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "For victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945."  (It also gives the source location for this document.)

Another page gives us more information:

• Дата рождения: __.__.1902
• Место рождения: Украинская ССР, Черниговская обл., с. Лосиновка
• Дата поступления на службу: __.__.1941
• Архив: ЦАМО
• Картотека: Картотека награждений
• Расположение документа: шкаф 87, ящик 7

Israel Tolchinsky had enlisted in 1941.  And at some point he was an Engineer-Lieutenant Colonel.

So it appears that Israel-Isser/Vissarion not only survived the war but had moved up quite high in the Soviet military!  Now I have to find out what happened to him after the war--and if perhaps other Tolchinskys survived as well. 

Thank you Eugene for pointing out this resource!
 
 Note:  I'm on Twitter.  Follow me (@larasgenealogy).

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