The grave of the Soviet Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel Stepan Protsenko at Slavy Park in Kiev, Ukraine
Stepan Fedoseevich Protsenko (November 11, 1900, Konotope - October 3, 1943, Cossack Island) was a commander in the 136th Rifle Regiment of the 38th Army of the Voronezh Front, Lieutenant Colonel. He was born on November 11, 1900 in Konotope (Sumy region) in the family of a Ukrainian railroad worker. In 1920 he volunteered and joined the Red Army and fought in the Civil War. In 1935 he finished the military engineering academy. On the night of October 2, 1943, Protsenko commanded a small group of soldiers on Cossack Island in the middle of the Dnieper River, which had a great tactical value. Because of this the Germans tried to capture it at all cost, but he defended it fiercely and was able to repulse all counterattacks. He was seen fighting with a gun in his hand at all the most dangerous places and served as an example to all his men. When he heard that the lines might be breached at the other side of the island he immediately rushed with a small group of soldiers to prevent this and succeeded in doing so. On October 3, 1943, in spite of heavy losses, the Germans renewed counterattacks. Enemy aircraft appeared above the island and started to bomb strategic positions. One of the bombs exploded near the control center and Protsenko was mortally wounded by splinters. He was buried in Kiev at the Park of Eternal Glory. By Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated January 10, 1944 he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Star for bravery and heroism shown during battle.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Grave of Stepan Fedoseevich Protsenko, Slavy Park, Kiev, Ukraine, Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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