Demyanenko Ivan Nikitovich_x000D_ _x000D_ Demyanenko Ivan Nikitovich – my great-grandfather, with whom I, unfortunately, have never been personally acquainted. However, my grandfather, Viktor Ivanovich Demyanenko, told me a lot about his father, including his exploits in the war. Ivan Demyanenko was born on September 12 (new style – 25), 1917 in the village of Alekseyevka (now-Bilmaksky district of Zaporozhye region of Ukraine) in the family of a peasant. In 1935, he graduated from the pedagogical technical school in Berdyansk, after which he worked as a teacher. In 1939, Ivan Nikitovich was called up to serve in the Workers 'and peasants' Red Army. In 1941, he graduated from the Moscow artillery school. Since the same year-on the fronts of the great Patriotic war. By October 1943, senior Lieutenant Ivan Demyanenko was commanding a battery of the 399th howitzer artillery regiment of the 2nd guard’s howitzer artillery brigade of the 1st guards artillery division of the 65th army of the Central front. Distinguished himself during the battle of the Dnepr. October 15, 1943 near the villages Krupeika and Shitzy Loyevsky district, Gomel region, Belarusian SSR in the part of the assault team Demyanenko was one of the first crossed the Dnepr and took an active part in the capture of the bridgehead. By correcting the artillery fire of his regiment, he helped to successfully repel counterattacks and hold the bridgehead. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 24, 1943 for "exemplary performance of command assignments at the front against the German invaders and displaying courage and heroism" Lieutenant Ivan Demyanenko was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the order of Lenin and medal "gold Star" No. 2315. After the end of the war, Demyanenko continued to serve in the Soviet Army. In 1958, he graduated from the Central artillery officer course. In 1960, with the rank of major, he was retired to the reserve. Lived and worked in Lviv. He died on November 23, 1978 and was buried at the Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv. Honorary citizen of Ternopil. A bust of Demyanenko was installed in Alekseyevka. Awards and titles: - the title Hero of the Soviet Union.Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 24, 1943; - order of Lenin; - Gold Star Medal No. 2315; - Order Of The Red Star. Order of the commander of artillery of the 13th army No. 37 of September 8, 1944; - Order of the red Star. Order of the Military Council of the 1st Ukrainian front No. 80 / n of June 8, 1945; - Order of the red Star. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 26, 1955; - Medal "for the victory over Germany in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945". Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of may 9, 1945; USSR Medals.