30-Year-Old Khachatur Posthumously Awarded 'Combat Service' Medal Received by His 4-Year-Old Son in Yerablur

For his bravery and unwavering dedication in defending the homeland, the 'Combat Service' medal was posthumously awarded to Senior Private Khachatur Khachatryan, the deputy commander of a unit in the N military base, by President Armen Sarkissian. The medal was received today, March 22, at the 'Yerablur' military pantheon by his eldest son.

Despite being only 4 years old, Hovhannes often visits his father's grave but believes his father is in Syria, where he had been a few months ago, and is waiting for his return.

Khachatryan served in the Armenian army for 12 years, initially as a conscript and then as a contract soldier. He was part of special forces.

'He loved his homeland, his service, his uniform; for him, it was not just work but his life. He was bright, honest, and very curious, loving to try everything,' said Khachatryan's wife, Anna, in an interview with NEWS.am.

Khachatryan was killed on October 2. He died from a gunshot to the heart by an enemy sniper while trying to assist his combat buddy during the liberation of a crucial peak.

'The last time we spoke was on October 1. He said, 'Anna, take good care of our kids, stay safe,' and then the connection was lost,' Anna recounted.

The 'Combat Service' medal was not Khachatryan's first award. Years ago, he was also granted the 'Drastamat Kanayan' medal by the Armenian Armed Forces. His relative Irman recalled that when Khachatryan received that medal, he said it was much anticipated since he had built a biography worthy of such an honor since childhood.

'I said, 'Khachatur, how happy you were for that medal.' He replied, 'You don’t know what kind of medal that is.' Now if only he were here to receive this 'Combat Service' medal himself,' Irman said, tears in his eyes.

Khachatur Khachatryan died at the age of 30. He is survived by two sons, 4-year-old Hovhannes and 2-year-old Mark.