Ivan Grigorievich Vdovytchenko, whose name was mentioned in leaflets of war time as often as Alexander Matrosovʼs, was born on 24 April 1924 in the village of Krasnaya Yaruga, which is nowadays a town in the Belgorod region. His parents were workers. After finishing seven grades in a village school, he received a position at a sugar mill and refinery plant, located in the village.
In February 1943, Ivan Vdovytchenko was conscripted into the Red Army, and already in early spring he started to participate in fierce battles of the Voronezh front. He was a machine-gunner of the 3rd battalion in the 38th army. Despite his young age, he earned recognition from his comrades for his fearlessness in battles to liberate villages and towns of the Sumy region of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
In August 1943, the regiment of 19-year old Ivan Vdovytchenko came to the village of Dumovka, located in the Krasnopolye district. The servicemen had to suspend their advance for some time, being just near the village, as their way was blocked by a vicinity, where German invaders arranged an inaccessible stronghold.
Early in the morning on August 13, the battalion was attacked by tank and infantry units of the enemy.
In February 1943, Ivan Vdovytchenko was conscripted into the Red Army, and already in early spring he started to participate in fierce battles of the Voronezh front. He was a machine-gunner of the 3rd battalion in the 38th army. Despite his young age, he earned recognition from his comrades for his fearlessness in battles to liberate villages and towns of the Sumy region of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
In August 1943, the regiment of 19-year old Ivan Vdovytchenko came to the village of Dumovka, located in the Krasnopolye district. The servicemen had to suspend their advance for some time, being just near the village, as their way was blocked by a vicinity, where German invaders arranged an inaccessible stronghold.
Early in the morning on August 13, the battalion was attacked by tank and infantry units of the enemy.
Fighting valiantly, our soldiers destroyed two enemy tanks, but one managed to break through the defences and rushed to the location of a rifle company. It was supposed to be protected by machine gun fire of the unit, where Ivan Vdovytchenko served. The soldiers were trying to stop the enemy tank, throwing grenades to it, but it was inexorably approaching the company positions. Having noticed that his unit was in danger of elimination, and that there were only a few seconds left before the death of his fellow soldiers, he undertook a desperate move.
Having attached several grenades to his belt, the machine-gunner left his shelter and threw himself to the caterpillar tracks of the enemy tank. He eliminated the enemy, but perished himself. Ivan Vdovytchenkoʼs fearlessness shocked the enemy fighters, and the units of the Red Army took an advantage of their short-time bewilderment. Our forces went on counterattack, recaptured the stronghold from the enemies and entered Dumovka.
The Komsomol member, who heroically gave his life in the fight against fascists, was buried in a mass grave in the village of Samotoyevka, located near the site of his heroic act. By decree of 10 January, he was posthumously awarded the Hero of the USSR title. Also posthumously he received the Order of Lenin. In Krasnaya Yaruga, where he hero was born, there is now his bust installed. The street, where he was grown up, is called after him.
Having attached several grenades to his belt, the machine-gunner left his shelter and threw himself to the caterpillar tracks of the enemy tank. He eliminated the enemy, but perished himself. Ivan Vdovytchenkoʼs fearlessness shocked the enemy fighters, and the units of the Red Army took an advantage of their short-time bewilderment. Our forces went on counterattack, recaptured the stronghold from the enemies and entered Dumovka.
The Komsomol member, who heroically gave his life in the fight against fascists, was buried in a mass grave in the village of Samotoyevka, located near the site of his heroic act. By decree of 10 January, he was posthumously awarded the Hero of the USSR title. Also posthumously he received the Order of Lenin. In Krasnaya Yaruga, where he hero was born, there is now his bust installed. The street, where he was grown up, is called after him.
