TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Fenko, Stepan Grigoryevich

Date of birth:
August 13th, 1921 (Zenkovsky/Poltava, Soviet Union)
Date of death:
August 16th, 1990 (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Buried on:
Krasnenkoe Cemetery
Nationality:
Soviet (1922-1991, People's Republic)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
1233rd Infantry Regiment, 371th Infantry Division, 5th Army, 3rd Belorussian Front
Awarded on:
March 24th, 1945
"In the summer of 1944, the soldiers of the 1233rd Infantry Regiment of Vitebsk fought fierce battles for the liberation of Belarus Among our warriors, who particularly distinguished themselves during the crossing of the Neman, was the gun commander SG Fenko.

On July 17 1944, the soldiers of his unit made a raft out of improvised material, rolled a cannon on it and, despite the enemy's strong fire, crossed to the western bank of the river near the settlement of Darsunishkis in the Kayshadorsky district of Lithuania. The gunners quickly deployed the gun and directly opened fire on enemy tanks and infantry. In the unequal battle, the entire gun crew died. Then S.G. Fenko himself continued to conduct fire. Shells exploded around the ground (the ground was buzzing with explosions). The enemy did not stop shooting and the artilleryman was thrown to the ground by the wave of a nearby explosion and subsequently covered with dirt. Heavily shell-shocked, he got up and went back to the gun. When the enemy retreated, SG Fenko's gun was left with three destroyed tanks and up to 120 corpses."

No. 6170
Medal

Sources

Photos