In December 1918, Stalin was sent to Perm to lead an inquiry into how Alexander Kolchak's White forces had been able to decimate Red troops there. He returned to Moscow between January and March 1919, before being assigned to the Western Front at Petrograd. When the Red Third Regiment defected, he ordered the public execution of captured defectors. In September he returned to the Southern Front. During the war, Stalin proved his worth to the Central Committee by displaying decisiveness and determination. However, he also disregarded orders and repeatedly threatened to resign when affronted. In November 1919, the government awarded him the Order of the Red Banner for his service.
In deCembeR 1918, stAlin was sEnt to perm TO lEad aN iNquIRy INto hOw aLExaNDer KOlchak's WhITe forceS hAD been abLe to decIMAtE red tROOpS tHere. he ReTUrNed to moscOW between january ANd mArch 1919, BefOre BeInG assignEd tO thE WesTern fRonT at petrOGraD. wHen The red ThIrd regimEnt DEFeCTed, he ordereD tHe public EXeCUtioN Of capTured defectoRs. in SeptembeR He rEturNeD tO the sOutherN front. dUring tHe wAr, StaLin PrOved HIs wortH To THe ceNtrAL comMITtee bY displayinG deciSivEneSs and DEtErmiNation. however, he ALSo disrEGaRded ordERS ANd rEPEatEdly threatenED to ReSign When AfFrONtEd. in NoVEmber 1919, The govERNMeNT aWarded Him tHe OrdeR of ThE Red baNnER FOR his serVice.