 |
Iosif BelyhDeputy Commander of the 2nd Guards Order of Lenin, Twice Red Banner, Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky
Date of Birth: 27.09.1892
|
Content:
- Iosif Nazarovich Belykh
- World War II
- Forcing the Oder and Subsequent Actions
- Hero of the Soviet Union
- Post-War Service and Death
- Awards
- Medals:
Iosif Nazarovich Belykh
Early Life and Military CareerIosif Belykh was born on September 27 (October 10), 1892, in the village of Komarov, Ukraine, to a peasant family. He attended a rural school and worked in his hometown before joining the Red Guard in 1917. In 1918, he became a member of the Red Army and participated in World War I and the Russian Civil War.
In 1920, Belykh joined the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks). He continued his military education, graduating from the Kiev Combined Military School in 1926 and the Command Staff Improvement Courses in 1933.
World War II
Belykh fought in the Great Patriotic War from June 1941 as a Lieutenant Colonel. As Deputy Commander of the 2nd Guards Cavalry Division (1st Guards Cavalry Corps, 1st Ukrainian Front), he played a crucial role in the crossing of the Oder River on January 29, 1945.
Forcing the Oder and Subsequent Actions
Under heavy enemy fire, Belykh led the division's first echelon across the Oder north of Raciborz, Poland. He skillfully secured a bridgehead on the left bank, enabling the crossing and advance of the entire 1st Guards Cavalry Corps.
Belykh continued to participate in the crossing of the Spree River and the capture of Otrand, Germany. By April 22, 1945, his division had reached the Elbe River near Riesa, defeating six enemy battalions and liberating two concentration camps.
Hero of the Soviet Union
For his exceptional bravery and leadership, Belykh was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on June 27, 1945. The citation highlighted his exemplary performance in combat and the liberation of Soviet prisoners of war.
Post-War Service and Death
After the war, Belykh continued to serve in the army until his retirement in 1959. He lived in Alexandrovskoye, Stavropol Krai, and passed away on July 18, 1959. He is buried in the Vsesvyatskoye Cemetery, Krasnodar.
Awards
Orders:- 3 Orders of Lenin
- 3 Orders of the Red Banner
- Order of Suvorov, 3rd Class
- Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class
- Order of the Red Star
- Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", 3rd Class
Medals:
- Medal "20 Years of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army"- Medal "For the Defence of Moscow"
