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Ivan SamchukUkrainian Soviet military leader, colonel
Date of Birth: 01.01.1912
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Education
- World War II: Early Battles
- Stalingrad and Beyond
- Liberation of Ukraine and Advance to Berlin
- Honors and Legacy
Early Life and Military Education
Ivan Anikeyevich Samchuk was born and raised in the peasant family in the village of Spaso-Mazharovka, now Znamenского district of Kirovohrad region.
After graduating from the seven-year school, he entered the Zinoviev Cavalry School on the Komsomol's direction and later transferred to the Bakinsk Infantry School.
World War II: Early Battles
At the outbreak of World War II, he was a captain and the head of the operations department of the 5th Airborne Brigade's headquarters, which was stationed in Pervomaisk.
In July 1941, the 5th Airborne Brigade was sent near Kyiv, where it engaged in heavy fighting against German forces. Samchuk commanded a battalion during these battles.
Stalingrad and Beyond
From February 26, 1942, he became the commander of the 39th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 13th Guards Rifle Division. On July 6, 1942, he was wounded and treated in a hospital.
In January-February 1943, he returned to command the 39th Guards Rifle Regiment. The 13th Guards Division, commanded by Samchuk, participated in the Battle of Stalingrad from July 17, 1942, to February 2, 1943.
After Stalingrad, Samchuk was appointed chief of staff of the 32nd Guards Rifle Corps. This unit fought in the Battle of Kursk, liberated Kharkov, Poltava, and Kremenchug, and participated in the Kirovograd offensive operation.
Liberation of Ukraine and Advance to Berlin
Samchuk and his corps fought their way through Romania, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. Their combat path ended in the German city of Torgau, where they met the Allied forces.
Samchuk was wounded four times and concussed four times during the war. He passed away on December 6, 1988.
Honors and Legacy
Samchuk was awarded numerous honors, including:Three Orders of the Red Banner
Order of Suvorov, 2nd degree
Order of Kutuzov, 2nd degree
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st and 2nd degrees
Two Orders of the Red Star
Medals
Foreign awards
Honorary Citizen of Kirovograd (March 23, 1973)
Honorary Citizen of Pervomaysk, Mykolaiv region (1980)
