During his time sailing as a military maritime pilot near the Kerch-Yenikale Canal and along the Crimean shores between December 15, 1943 and the present time, he guided processions of ships to Crimea that were carrying troops, materiel, and ammunition across the areas that were most saturated with enemy mines. While guiding ships he was subjected to intense shelling by enemy batteries, bombing raids, and machine-gun and cannon fire from enemy aircraft.

He is a member of a relatively small team of military maritime pilots and conducted more than 250 piloting trips near the Kerch Naval Base area of operations. Being one of the most experienced military maritime pilots, Kerch Naval Base command was ordered to see to it that the vessels disembarking reconnaissance parties and fire direction posts were guided to areas under enemy control. He guided the minesweepers as they were sweeping for enemy mines, ensuring directional accuracy in the cleared waterways in an excellent manner.

During the defense of Odessa and the defense of Sevastopol he carried out complex piloting assignments for ships supplying the besieged bases in a most selfless manner. He splendidly executed the withdrawal of the damaged transport Serov from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk shortly before the troops from Sevastopol Naval Defense Area were evacuated.

Carrying out all military tasks assigned to him, he showed himself a brave and decisive officer who is capable of taking initiative and dedicated to the Soviet Union and the Party of Lenin and Stalin.

Head of the Military Pilotage Service of the Black Sea Fleet
Captain 3rd Grade [Lieutenant Commander] [signed] /Zinovyev/
August 8, 1944