Vasiliy Pirojok Member of the underground organization 'Young Guard'. Date of Birth: 07.1924Год Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Vasily Pirozhok
2. Activities in the Underground Organization
3. Passions and Dreams
4. Arrest and Execution
5. Posthumous Recognition

Biography of Vasily Pirozhok

Vasily Pirozhok was born in July 1924 in the village of Slavyanoserbsk, Voroshilovgrad region, into a peasant family. In 1935, Vasily and his parents moved to the city of Krasnodon, where he attended schools named after A. M. Gorky and S. M. Kirov. He actively participated in the public life of the city, serving as the editor of a wall newspaper and participating in artistic self-expression circles. Vasily was known as a talented and active individual, often performing on the stages of local clubs. He had a close friendship with Vasily Borisov, Anatoly Kovalyov, Mikhail Grigoryev, and Sergey Tyulenyin.

Activities in the Underground Organization

In September 1942, Vasily became a member of the underground organization "Young Guard." He actively participated in the organization's activities, engaging in risky operations alongside Ivan Turkenich, Mikhail Grigoryev, and Vasily Borisov. In one notable operation, they executed two police officers in the city park, leaving a note that read: "This fate awaits every traitor of the Motherland." Vasily also played a crucial role in distributing leaflets and collecting weapons for the organization.

Passions and Dreams

While Vasily was known for his lively and humorous personality among his schoolmates, he revealed a different side of himself when immersed in literature. He had a passion for reading and aspired to dedicate his life to literature. His dream was to study philology at the university. Vasily had an extraordinary memory and could recite the poems of A. S. Pushkin and M. Yu. Lermontov by heart. He particularly admired T. G. Shevchenko and was always eager to learn more about the lives and achievements of historical figures. Vasily was described as brave, honest, and straightforward by his classmate Antonina Titova.

Arrest and Execution

In 1939, Vasily was accepted into the Komsomol organization of his school. When the Great Patriotic War began, Vasily was only 17 years old. In September 1942, he and his peers joined the "Young Guard" and actively engaged in combat operations. However, on January 5, 1943, Vasily was arrested. After enduring horrific torture, he was executed and thrown into a mine shaft. He was buried in a mass grave of heroes in the central square of Krasnodon.

Posthumous Recognition

Vasily Markovich Pirozhok was posthumously awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class and the Medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War" 1st Class.