 |
Ivan SokolovSoviet military leader, colonel
Date of Birth: 25.11.1907
|
Content:
Early Life and Education
Ivan Alexandrovich Sokolov was born in 1907 to a peasant family in Russia. After completing school, he worked in Moscow. In 1929, he joined the Red Army and entered the Leningrad Artillery School, graduating as an artillery officer.
World War II
On June 22, 1941, the day the Great Patriotic War broke out, Sokolov was a senior lieutenant in Orgeev, Moldova. His family was evacuated to Bashkiria. Shortly after, he became the chief of staff of the 648th Corps Artillery Regiment.
In August 1942, Sokolov was promoted to major and appointed acting commander of the 648th Army Artillery Regiment. Under his leadership, the regiment participated in Operation Uranus, leading to its conversion into the 110th Guards Army Artillery Regiment in March 1943. The regiment earned the honorary title "Odessa" for its valor in liberating the city.
In May 1944, Colonel Sokolov took command of the 44th Guards Odessa Artillery Brigade, which was formed by merging the 110th Guards and 1162nd Artillery Regiments. The brigade's arsenal included B-4 howitzers, and its ranks included Hero of the Soviet Union Sergeant N.T. Vasilychenko.
Post-War Life
After the war, Sokolov served in Transbaikalia before being transferred to Odessa due to family circumstances. He became the head of the military department at Odessa State University, where he also worked as chairman of the trade union committee after retiring from the military.
Honors and Awards
Sokolov received numerous military honors and awards, including:Order of Lenin (1945)
Four Orders of the Red Banner
Order of Kutuzov, 2nd class
Order of Alexander Nevsky
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class
Order of the Red Star
Legacy
Sokolov lived in Odessa until his death. A memorial plaque marks his residence, commemorating his role as commander of the 44th Guards Odessa Artillery Brigade in the liberation of Odessa in 1944.
