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Heroes of the Soviet Union — Natives of Kherson Region (Participants in Crimean Combat)

A reference guide on six natives of Kherson Oblast who were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for combat operations in Crimea during World War II. All of them fought as part of the 4th Ukrainian Front in 1944 during the liberation of the Crimean Peninsula.

Overview

The Kherson region and Crimea are historically and geographically linked: in 1944, natives of villages in present-day Kherson Oblast directly participated in the liberation of Crimea. According to the reference guide of the State Archives of Kherson Oblast (f. P-3562), six natives of the region received the highest distinction of the USSR specifically for heroic deeds accomplished on Crimean soil — on the Perekop Isthmus, in the Sivash area, Sevastopol, and settlements of the Crimean Oblast. This underscores the shared combat and human bond between the two regions of Ukraine during the war years (see also page Kherson).

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Ivan Mykhailovych Berezhnyi: born in 1924 (Kremenchuk village, now North Kazakhstan Oblast, Kazakhstan; raised from childhood in Novovorontsovka village, now Kherson Oblast). Machine gun squad commander of the 261st Guards Rifle Regiment (87th Guards Rifle Division, 2nd Guards Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Junior Lieutenant. In April 1944, during the breach of enemy defenses on the Perekop Isthmus, he covered the battalion's flank with fire; after his machine gunners were killed, he personally operated the machine gun. Killed in action on April 10, 1944. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously on March 24, 1945; decorated with the Order of Lenin and a medal. Buried in Suvorove village, Krasnoperekopsk District, Autonomous Republic of Crimea; a memorial plaque is installed in Kherson.

  • Kostiantyn Havrylovych Vysovin: born in 1918 in Prohnoyi village, now Heroyske, Hola Prystan District, Kherson Oblast; Ukrainian, primary education. Scout of the 70th Guards Rifle Regiment (24th Guards Rifle Division, 2nd Guards Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Guards Private. On May 9, 1944, as part of a reconnaissance group in a boat under enemy fire, he crossed Severnaya Bay in Sevastopol, participated in capturing the bridgehead and repelling attacks; killed in action. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously on March 24, 1945; decorated with the Order of Lenin, Order of Glory 3rd Class, and a medal. Buried in Belbek village (now Sevastopol); the school in Heroyske village is named after him.

  • Dmytro Tykhonovych Hrydasov: born on February 23, 1925 in Rubanivka village, now Velyka Lepetykha District, Kherson Oblast; russian. Machine gunner of the 846th Rifle Regiment (267th Rifle Division, 51st Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Private. On April 8, 1944, during the breach of defense lines near Karanky village (Dzhankoy District), he destroyed 9 enemy firing points and a heavy machine gun in a pillbox; on April 13–14, 1944, in battles for Zuya village (now urban-type settlement in Bilohirsk District), he repelled 5 counterattacks. Killed in action on January 16, 1945. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on March 24, 1945; decorated with the Order of Lenin and a medal. Buried in Mokrance village (Košice Region, Slovakia); a bust of the Hero is erected in his native village.

  • Ivan Ivanovych Zyuz: born in 1925 in Liubymivka village, Kakhovka District, Kherson Oblast; Ukrainian, primary education. Machine gunner of the 665th Rifle Regiment (216th Rifle Division, 51st Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Private. On November 7, 1943, as part of an advance detachment, he participated in liberating Urzhyn village (now Smushkyne village, Krasnoperekopsk District) on the coast of the Sivash Gulf; on March 22, 1944, he covered his comrades' retreat and used his last grenade to blow himself up along with surrounding enemy troops. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously on May 16, 1944; decorated with the Order of Lenin, Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, and medals. Buried in Krasnoarmiyske village, Krasnoperekopsk District, Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

  • Oleksandr Mykytovych Sotsenko: born on July 13, 1924 in Chalbasy village, now Vynohradove, Oleshky District, Kherson Oblast; Ukrainian, incomplete secondary education. Combat engineer of the 70th Guards Rifle Regiment (24th Guards Rifle Division, 2nd Guards Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Guards Private. On the morning of May 9, 1944, with a group of fighters, he crossed Severnaya Bay into Sevastopol, repelling counterattacks and advancing into the city; killed in action. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously on March 24, 1945; decorated with the Order of Lenin. Buried in Sevastopol; a school and street in his native village are named after him.

  • Ivan Petrovych Korolyuk: born in 1895 in Stara Zburyivka village, now Hola Prystan District, Kherson Oblast; Ukrainian, primary education. Sniper of the 262nd Guards Rifle Regiment (87th Guards Rifle Division, 2nd Guards Army, 4th Ukrainian Front), Guards Private. On April 9, 1944, during the breach of fortifications on the Perekop Isthmus near Armyansk village, he replaced the fallen squad commander and led the soldiers in an attack; on April 10, 1944, at a critical moment in battle, he again led his comrades in an attack, suppressed an enemy machine gun, and engaged in hand-to-hand combat; on April 11, 1944, he replaced a fallen machine gunner. Killed in action on May 9, 1944. Awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on March 24, 1945; decorated with the Order of Lenin. Buried in Fruktove village, Sevastopol City Council.