Decided to make this guy an official character. This particular ref shows him as he would appear around the time of the Battle of Stalingrad, having been promoted to lietenant (lieutenant) from starshina (sergeant major) following the German invasion of the Soviet Union. He would eventually rise to the rank of major shortly before the Battle of Berlin.
Link
Validuz
Dat PPsH41. :>
*paws at the medal* Hero of the Soviot Union no less? Good kitty!