The exhibition presents an Certificate of the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium on awarding the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to Vasily Kalinin, a citizen of the Koreni village, Vyatka province (nowadays it is Kirov region).
The title of Soviet Union Hero was introduced by the Resolution of the CEC of the USSR on April 16, 1934. It became the highest degree of insignia: it was awarded to the military for performing a feat or for outstanding services during hostilities. The decree of October 16, 1939, approved the appearance of the medal, which was called the ‘Golden Star’. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, was entitled to a second medal, and his bronze bust was mounted in the fighter’s homeland. Thrice Hero of the Soviet Union, was awarded the third medal, and his bust was erected at the Palace of Soviets in Moscow.
During the Great Patriotic War Kalinin served as a squad commander of the 101st Guards Rifle Regiment of the 35th Guards Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front.
On January 10, 1944, at an unnamed height of 115.5 near the village of Bazavluchok, Dnepropetrovsk region, Kalinin and his squad broke into enemy trenches. The fighters destroyed 38 Fascist soldiers, three non-commissioned officers, and an officer. As a result of the clash, the Soviet fighters managed to take the height. Kalinin’s squad held the occupied positions until reinforcements arrived. When 28 people remained alive, including Kalinin himself, the German units launched a new attack with the support of five tanks and four self-propelled guns. Kalinin rushed with a bunch of grenades towards the self-propelled gun and blew it up.
He was considered dead for some time. In the collection of the Kirov Regional Museum of Local History, there is even a notice of his death. However, at the battle site, the severely wounded Kalinin was picked up by residents of the village of Bazavluchok and sent to a field hospital. In 1944, the Guards Senior Sergeant Kalinin was demobilized due to injury. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 3, 1944, Kalinin was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown.
The title of Soviet Union Hero was introduced by the Resolution of the CEC of the USSR on April 16, 1934. It became the highest degree of insignia: it was awarded to the military for performing a feat or for outstanding services during hostilities. The decree of October 16, 1939, approved the appearance of the medal, which was called the ‘Golden Star’. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, was entitled to a second medal, and his bronze bust was mounted in the fighter’s homeland. Thrice Hero of the Soviet Union, was awarded the third medal, and his bust was erected at the Palace of Soviets in Moscow.
During the Great Patriotic War Kalinin served as a squad commander of the 101st Guards Rifle Regiment of the 35th Guards Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front.
On January 10, 1944, at an unnamed height of 115.5 near the village of Bazavluchok, Dnepropetrovsk region, Kalinin and his squad broke into enemy trenches. The fighters destroyed 38 Fascist soldiers, three non-commissioned officers, and an officer. As a result of the clash, the Soviet fighters managed to take the height. Kalinin’s squad held the occupied positions until reinforcements arrived. When 28 people remained alive, including Kalinin himself, the German units launched a new attack with the support of five tanks and four self-propelled guns. Kalinin rushed with a bunch of grenades towards the self-propelled gun and blew it up.
He was considered dead for some time. In the collection of the Kirov Regional Museum of Local History, there is even a notice of his death. However, at the battle site, the severely wounded Kalinin was picked up by residents of the village of Bazavluchok and sent to a field hospital. In 1944, the Guards Senior Sergeant Kalinin was demobilized due to injury. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 3, 1944, Kalinin was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown.
