ZINENKO IVAN GORDEYEVICH

ZINENKO IVAN GORDEYEVICH

sergeant, participant of the Second World War Hero of the Soviet Union (01.07.1944).

He was born on July 21, 1921 in the village of Isakli (now Isaklinsky district of Samara region). He graduated from the 6^th grade of the school. He lived and worked in Samarkand before being drafted into the army. In 1940, Zinenko was drafted into the Red Army by the Samarkand Military Commissariat.

From June 1941 – participated in World War II. He was wounded three times in battles. He took part in the battles for Moscow in the territories of the Byelorussian and Ukrainian SSR, in the battles near Leningrad. Until January 1944, Sergeant Ivan Zinenko was the artillery commander of the 2^nd Infantry Army of the Leningrad Front, the 760^th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment. He fought valiantly at the end of the siege of Leningrad. On January 22, 1944, near the village of Vitino, Lomonosov district, Leningrad region, Zinenko’s artillery line, standing in the ranks of advanced infantry, supported the attacking units with his own fire. During another counterattack by German troops, Zinenko was left alone in front of the artillery, twice repelling the enemy’s counterattack, destroying
4 tanks and holding the position until the main forces arrived.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 1, 1944, Sergeant Ivan Zinenko was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union “For exemplary performance of combat duties, courage and heroism in the fight against Nazi invaders on the front.”

He died on April 25, 1968, and was buried in the Samara city cemetery.