Photo of Hero of the Soviet Union Kharitonov A.D. on Victory Day with his comrades

The original color photograph is in excellent collector's condition. The size is 123*173 mm. Guarantee of authenticity. 

Alexander Danilovich Kharitonov (February 24, 1914, Novoanninsky, Donskoy region — August 17, 2000, Bila Tserkva, Kiev region) was a colonel in the Soviet Army, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union (1945).

Alexander Kharitonov was born on February 24, 1914 in the village of Novoannenskoye (now the city of Novoanninsky in the Volgograd region). After graduating from the sixth grade of school, he worked in a photo office. In 1936, Kharitonov was drafted to serve in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. He graduated from the courses of junior lieutenants. Participated in the battles on Khalkhin Gol. Since July 1941, he served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. In 1942, Kharitonov graduated from advanced training courses for command personnel. By March 1945, Guards Colonel Alexander Kharitonov commanded the 294th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 97th Guards Rifle Division of the 32nd Guards Rifle Corps of the 5th Guards Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front. Distinguished himself during the fighting in Germany. On March 24, 1945, Kharitonov's regiment broke through the German defenses on the Neisse River near the town of Strehlen and captured several large settlements. In May, north of Dresden, the regiment successfully repelled a large number of German tank and infantry counterattacks.

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 27, 1945, Colonel Alexander Kharitonov was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal number 6043 for "skilful command of a rifle regiment, exemplary performance of combat missions of the command on the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time.". After the end of the war, Kharitonov continued to serve in the Soviet Army. He graduated from the "Shot" courses. In 1969, he was discharged from the reserve. He lived in Bila Tserkva. He died in 2000, and was buried at the Starokievskoye cemetery of the White Church.

He was also awarded four Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, two Orders of the Red Star, and a number of medals.