The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation has published a declassified award citation for Guards Sergeant Kemel Tokayev — a participant in the Great Patriotic War and the father of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
As reported by Zakon.kz citing the ministry, Kemel Tokayev was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class for the courage and heroism he displayed in January 1945 during battles on the territory of Poland.
His feat is described in the award citation, signed by the commander of the 7th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Lomza Breakthrough Regiment, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Afanasy Povarov.
"On 21 January 1945, in the area northwest of Jeglijewiec (Masovian Voivodeship, Poland), the Germans counterattacked our positions at night. The submachine gunners steadfastly guarded their tanks, then launched an attack and drove the Germans back. Comrade Tokayev was the first to break into the enemy's position and, with fire from his submachine gun, killed 5 Germans and took one wounded German prisoner. While returning to his unit's position with the prisoner, Tokayev was wounded in the leg by an explosive bullet. Tokayev shot the German prisoner and, overcoming the pain, bandaged his wound and made his way back to his tanks.", the text of the document states.
As reported, the wound was severe — a sniper's bullet shattered his shin. Tokayev was evacuated beyond the Urals, where doctors considered the possibility of amputating the limb.
However, a young surgeon, Gavriil Ilizarov, who later became a world innovator in the field of orthopaedics, managed to save the soldier's leg by applying early prototypes of his future invention — the Ilizarov apparatus.
Such stories of heroism by our compatriots particularly touch our hearts on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day and the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. News like this evokes genuine pride in the generation of victors and reminds us of the indomitable spirit of our ancestors, their selflessness and true patriotism. Preserving the memory of every hero is our shared duty to those who, at the cost of incredible effort, gave their descendants a peaceful sky.