This is Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nver Nersisyan.
“As a private, Robert was distinguished only by his good character; his organizational skills were invaluable. Captain Armenak Urfanyan suggested appointing Robert as a squad leader, but I said it was too early, let him mature in service, and I was always confident he was ready.” Abajyan was soon appointed squad leader. He led competently, without fail, and after some time became deputy platoon commander.
War and the sound of exploding shells change a person’s character, awakening fears dormant for years or, conversely, forging their character.
I didn’t notice any changes in Robert’s character during the war. He courageously and unquestioningly carried out all orders.
Those days, a hail of shells fell on my battalion’s defensive zone, but the advancing enemy was unable to complete a single task in that company. The last time I spoke to Robert, I made contact; the second-to-last time, Robert spoke to a soldier from the communications platoon.
I call Robert, and he says the enemy has spotted me and is approaching. I order Robert to remain in cover until I arrive. Robert says, “No, Lieutenant Colonel, they have five minutes to reach me. As soon as they arrive, I’ll blow myself and them up.”
Robert takes the wounded Andranik and goes to the duty shift’s trench. A few minutes later, he reports to me that Andranik has been killed. Soon, the enemy spots Robert. Abajyan tells me over the phone for the last time: “I’ll blow myself up and turn off my phone.” When his body was returned a few days later, the phone was still in his pocket, with grenade fragments…