Lechitsky, Platon

Platon Lechitsky (1856–1923) was a general. Born in the family of a priest, Grodno province, he studied at Lithuanian Theological Seminary, but his vocation was the army. After graduating from Warsaw Cadet School, he was promoted to ensigns in the 39th reserve personnel battalion (1879). At the beginning of the First World War, Lechitsky commanded the troops, which were aimed at assisting the 4th Army after its failure at Krasnik. He was appointed commander of the 9th Army (1914), operating on the right flank of the South-Western Front. He led the army in the Battle of Galicia and the Warsaw-Ivangorod operation. The general won military glory in the legendary Brusilov Offensive. He retired after the February Revolution in 1917.

Honors:
St. George Weapons with Diamonds (1914);
Order of St. George 3rd degree (1914);
Order of the White Eagle with Swords (1915);
Order of St. Alexander Nevsky with Swords (1916).

The Order of St. George of the 3rd degree is a rare award, which during the First World War was presented to only 60 people. Lechitsky was the seventh holder of this award. The St. George Weapons with Diamonds was awarded only for the most outstanding victories; it was awarded only to eight generals, including Lechitsky.