Michael Starikov WWII participant, infantryman Date of Birth: 26.03.1923 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Mikhail Starikov

Mikhail Avraamovich Starikov was born on March 26, 1923, in the village of Zatishe, near Odessa. His father, a veteran of the First World War, returned from the front with the Georgievskaya Medal and a severe concussion. Unfortunately, he was unable to return to civilian life and work, so Mikhail's mother started working as a seamstress to support the family. Despite her efforts, the family lived in poverty. After completing seven years of school, Mikhail had to go to work and became a planer at a factory. However, his thirst for knowledge was strong, and he did not give up on his education. He continued his studies in an evening school and even started learning the art of jewelry making.

But then the war broke out. Despite his suitable age and strong desire to join the active forces, Mikhail was not accepted. A childhood game of riding on the back of a tram did not go in vain - he got hit by a tram and suffered multiple fractures. As a result, he received a "white ticket," which exempted him from the first military draft. The only military duty that fell on his shoulders was "street defense squad." Meanwhile, Odessa was being bombed, and the city was in ruins and famine. Thanks to his older sister, who was married to an NKVD officer, the Starikov family managed to evacuate and settled in the village of Bolshaya Churakovka, 56 kilometers away from the city of Kustanai.

Meanwhile, the war continued, and the front demanded new soldiers. In 1942, an order was issued for the "liberalization of conscription," after which almost everyone was taken into active service. Mikhail decided to try his luck again. However, his passion for education let him down this time. As an educated person, he was sent to the Uryupinsk Infantry School - UPU. Mikhail arrived for training in December 1942. Despite the intense course and strict discipline, the future soldier did not feel any major difficulties - they were well fed, and the rest didn't matter. He completed his studies at UPU for almost a year and was always grateful to this educational institution - they taught him excellent shooting skills.

The dream of a patriot came true in December 1943. In the rank of junior lieutenant, he graduated from the school and was assigned as the commander of a rifle platoon in the 936th Rifle Regiment. His military career began on the Belarusian front, but over the years of the war, he had to fight not only on the territory of the Soviet Union but also in the Balkans. His regiment was even sent to Berlin, but Mikhail did not make it there due to his injury. He does not like to talk about himself and considers his greatest luck to be surviving the war.