Mikhail Vasilyevich Bessarab was born on August 2, 1924, in the village of Malaya Koshelevka in the Nezhinsky district of the Ukrainian Chernihiv region. He finished only 4 classes at school, and later, in 1943 was drafted into service in by the Nezhensky RMC of the Chernihiv region at the age of 18. Took a signalman and communication courses. Participated in battles near Kiev and on the Vistula River as part of the 1st Ukrainian Front. He took part in the battles of the 4th Ukrainian Front on December 1, 1945 He was awarded by: • Order of the "Patriotic War, 2nd class" • Order of Glory • Medal "For the victory over Germany" • Medal "For the liberation of Prague" • Medal "For courage" Sergeant Mikhail Bessarab particularly distinguished himself in the battles of 1943, as evidenced by the lines from the commendation list: “In the Army since 1943, in battles since 1943. Participated in the liberation of Warsaw, in crossing of the Vistula. He was wounded 3 times in battles. He took part in the Moravia–Ostrava Offensive in 1945 and repelled enemy’s counterattacks. Comrade Bessarab was the first to attack the enemy and encouraged the rest of his comrades by that spirit. The counterattack was repelled, the enemy suffered heavy losses. Comrade Bessarab killed four Nazis. He was awarded the Order of the “Patriotic War of the 2nd,class". During the offensive battles conducted by the regiment from April 15, 1945, Comrade Bessarab showed himself to be a brave, courageous and skillful warrior. The communication lines directed by Comrade Bessarab always worked perfectly. In the battle for the village of Ileshovitsa on April 20, 1945, under heavy enemy’s artillery and machine-gun fire he eliminated up to eighteen line breaks. During the repulsion of the enemy’s counterattack on April 20, 1945, near the village of Ileshovitsa, Comrade Bessarab, supported by the infantry, repelled the enemy’s counterattacks. At that time he killed three German soldiers and captured one prisoner with a light machine gun. Disciplined, self-possessed, enjoys authority among soldiers and officers. (From the commendation list)