Janis Zvaigzne

Janis Zvaigzne
born: 22 Dec 1892 in Abelu parish
died: 5 Apr 1954 in a penal camp in Vorkut

Volunteered for the Czarist Russian Army in 1913. Served in the 105. Inf. Reg. Promoted to Lieutenant in Oct 1915, 1st Lieutenant in May 1916, Staff Captain in Nov 1916. Company commander in the 8. Valmiera Rifle Battalion (later upgraded to Regiment), later appointed Battalion commander in the same unit. Battalion commander in the Latvian Reserve Rifle Reg. from Aug 1917. Released from active duty in Dec 1917. Captured by the Germans in Feb 1918, he escaped in April 1918. Worked for the anti-Soviet underground movement in St. Petersburg, forced to flee to Pskov. In Sep 1918 joined the South Russian Volunteer Army, appointed to the Boguchara Officers Unit as a Company commander, from Mar 1919 as Deputy Commander of the Unit. Wounded in battle. Promoted to Captain in Dec 1918, Lt. Colonel in Jun 1919 and Colonel in Oct 1919. Commander of the Voronezh Cossack Reg. from Apr 1919, commander of the Starobelsk Battalion from May 1919, commander of the 3. Independent Brigade from Oct 1919. In Feb 1920 appointed Deputy Commander of the Boguchara Reg. Fell ill with typhoid in Mar 1920 and remained in Novorosisk where he was captured by the Red Army. Pretended to be an ordinary private and was allowed to return to Latvia.

Joined the Latvian Army on 30 Oct 1920 as a Captain.
30 Oct 1920 - ? : Company commander, 1. Latvian Rifle Reg. of the Borderguard Division
? - 1922: Battalion commander, 1. Latvian Rifle Reg. of the Borderguard Division
1922 - 1925: Appointed to the 10. Aizpute Inf. Reg.
1925: Promoted to Lt. Colonel
1925 - 31 Dec 1934: on a rotation basis, Battalion commander, Intendant, 10. Aizpute Inf. Reg.
31 Dec 1934 - Nov 1939: Chief of Staff, 10. Aizpute Inf. Reg.
Nov 1939 - Jul 1940: Battalion commander, 11. Dobele Inf. Reg.
Jul 1940 - Sep 1940: Deputy commander, 7. Sigulda Inf. Reg.
Sep 1940 - Oct 1940: Deputy commander, 285. Rifle Reg., XXIV Territorial Corps
Oct 1940: Released from active duty

Mobilized into the Latvian Legion on 19 Feb 1944.
19 Feb 1944 - Dec 1944: Commander, Lettische Grenzschutz Regiment 5 (Polizei)
Dec 1944 - 8 May 1945: Commander, Bau-battalion ”Zvaigzne”
Waffen-Obersturmbannführer 

Captured by the Russians on 9 May 1945 and placed in a filtration camp in Kharkhov.

Arrested on 9 Jul 1948.

Tried on 28 Jul 1948 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

Awards and decorations:
EK II: 1 Jul 1944
Latvian Order of the Bearslayer, III Class
Latvian Order of the Three Stars, IV Class
Latvian Order of Viesturs, III Class with Swords, IV Class with Swords
Czarist Russian Order of St. George, IV Class with Swords
Czarist Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, II Class with Swords, III Class with Swords
Czarist Russian Order of St. Anne, II and III Class with Swords, IV Class
South Russian Volunteer Army Order of St. Vladimir, IV Class with Swords

Married to Herta Lizete Damberga in 1923. Son Jānis (born 1925), daughter Herta Mirdza (born 1929)

Sources:
Latvijas Armijas Augstakie Virsnieki
Latviesu karavirs otra pasaules kara laika
Lacplesa Kara Ordena Kavalieri