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Dmitriy LazarevParticipant of the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 08.11.1922
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Content:
Early Life and Military Service
Dmitry Ilyich Lazarev was born on November 8, 1922, in the village of Bratovshchina, Russia. After completing seven years of education, he worked on a collective farm. In October 1941, he joined the Red Army amidst the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War.
From June 1942 onwards, Lazarev fought on several fronts, including the South-Western, Voronezh, Steppe, 2nd Ukrainian, and 1st Belorussian. He participated in the Battle of Kursk and crossed the Dnieper, Prut, Vistula, and Oder rivers in his relentless pursuit of German forces. Throughout the war, Lazarev sustained four wounds.
Act of Heroism
On January 21, 1945, Lazarev's artillery division encountered an enemy ambush near Ińowrocław, Poland. Undeterred by the darkness, Lazarev and his crew positioned their cannon within 200 meters of the enemy battery and destroyed three guns. However, German soldiers soon outflanked the artillerymen and launched an attack.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lazarev and his crew used grenades and machine guns to repel the attack. Their efforts proved successful, and the enemy force was eliminated.
Hero of the Soviet Union
For his exceptional bravery and leadership during this engagement, Lazarev was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on February 27, 1945. He received the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.
Post-War Life
Lazarev was demobilized in April 1948. He chose to live in Yaroslavl, where he continued his education and worked in a book publishing company. Later, he became the Deputy Director of the Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve.
Lazarev passed away on February 27, 1991, and was initially buried in the Zapadnoye Civil Cemetery. In 1993, his remains were reinterred at the Alley of Heroes in the Yaroslavl Military Memorial Cemetery.
Awards and Honors
Hero of the Soviet Union (Gold Star)Order of Lenin
Order of the Red Banner
Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class
Order of the Red Star
Various medals
