Full Cavalier of the Order of Glory Nikolai Ivanovich Gudimenko
Gudimenko Nikolai Ivanovich
Born in Frunze on February 24, 1924.
Gunner of the 849th Yassy Artillery Regiment (294th Cherkassy Red Banner Order of Suvorov and Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Rifle Division, 73rd Rifle Corps, 52nd Army, 2nd Ukrainian Front), sergeant.
Born in the city of Pishpek (now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) in a working-class family. Ukrainian. Completed 6 grades of school. Worked as a lathe operator at a factory.
Since October 12, 1942 – in the Red Army. In the active army – since September 1943. Fought on the Voronezh, 2nd and 1st Ukrainian fronts. Participated in the liberation of Left-Bank Ukraine, the Korsun-Shevchenkovsk, Uman-Botoshany, Yassy-Kishinev, Sandomir-Silesian, Lower Silesian, Berlin, and Prague offensive operations.
During the repulsion of counterattacks on the positions of rifle units north of the city of Yassy (Romania) on May 30, 1944, gunner N.I. Gudimenko, under bombing and artillery fire, destroyed 3 machine guns and up to 50 enemy soldiers from his gun, suppressing the fire of a mortar battery. On May 31, he destroyed an artillery piece, 4 machine guns, and up to 60 enemy soldiers, contributing to the retention of the positions held by the riflemen.
A few days later, the commander of the 849th artillery regiment, Major Voronov, wrote in the award sheet:
“In the battle north of the city of Yassy on May 30, 1944, when the enemy attacked our combat formations with large forces of infantry and tanks, comrade Gudimenko, despite the heavy enemy shelling and air bombing, destroyed one tank, three machine guns, up to 50 soldiers and officers, and suppressed the fire of the enemy mortar battery.
On May 31, 1944, when the enemy repeated one attack after another, comrade Gudimenko, with direct fire, shot at the fascists, destroying 60 soldiers and officers, 4 machine guns, and a 75mm enemy gun.
He deserves the government award of the Order of Glory III degree.”
By the order of the commander of the 294th Rifle Division dated July 21, 1944, sergeant Gudimenko Nikolai Ivanovich was awarded the Order of Glory 3rd degree.
Two months passed. During the Yassy-Kishinev offensive operation, the 294th Rifle Division participated in heavy battles with the enemy grouping surrounded in the area of the cities of Hushi and Bârlad (now Vaslui County, Romania). On August 26, 1944, a group of enemy automatic riflemen broke into the city of Hushi and attempted to cut off the road along which our troops were advancing. The crew of N.I. Gudimenko quickly deployed the gun and opened fire on the enemy infantry. After firing more than 30 shells, the artillerymen destroyed up to 100 Romanian soldiers. On August 27, the enemy, trying to break out of the encirclement, attacked the combat formations of our troops. With accurate fire, N.I. Gudimenko destroyed up to 70 enemy soldiers. On August 28, 1944, the enemy attempted to cross the Jijiya River. N.I. Gudimenko opened fire on a group of infantry and, destroying more than 30 enemy soldiers, thwarted the attempt to cross.
After these battles, a second award sheet was filled out: “On August 26, 1944, during the movement of our troops towards the city of Hushi (south of Yassy), a group of enemy automatic riflemen broke into the city with the task of blocking the road. Comrade Gudimenko quickly deployed the gun and, allowing the enemy to come within 15-20 meters, opened fire on them. After making 35 shots, comrade Gudimenko destroyed up to 100 Hitlerites.
On August 27, in the area of the city of Hushi, the enemy launched a psychological attack with a force of up to 3000 soldiers and officers.
Being on direct fire, comrade Gudimenko destroyed up to 70 enemy soldiers and officers...
He deserves the government award of the Order of Glory II degree.”
By the order of the commander of the 52nd Army dated September 29, 1944, sergeant Gudimenko Nikolai Ivanovich was awarded the Order of Glory 2nd degree.
In September 1944, the 294th Rifle Division was redeployed to the sector of the 1st Ukrainian Front. Subsequently, it was introduced to the Sandomierz bridgehead and began preparations for the offensive. During the breakthrough of the enemy defense on January 12, 1945, in the area of the settlement of Nowy Sielc (now Staszów County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland), the crew of N.I. Gudimenko suppressed the fire of an artillery battery, destroyed a mortar battery and up to 50 enemy soldiers, ensuring a successful attack on the enemy's front line by our rifle units.
The commander of the regiment, Major Voronov, wrote in the award sheet: “In the battle in the area of the village of Nowy Sielc on the Sandomierz bridgehead on January 12, 1945, the gun of gunner Gudimenko accurately and reliably fired at the enemy's manpower and equipment, destroying a mortar battery, suppressing a 75mm battery, and killing 48 soldiers and officers.
On January 13, 1945, in front of the city of Khmelnik, despite the fierce artillery fire of the enemy, comrade Gudimenko, with precise targeting of his gun, destroyed an armored personnel carrier, a vehicle with ammunition, 32 soldiers and officers, and ensured the advance of the infantry.
On January 19, 1945, sergeant Gudimenko and his gun were among the first to reach the German border.
Nikolai Ivanovich Gudimenko deserves the government award of the Order of Glory I degree.”
By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 10, 1945, for exemplary performance of combat missions from the command on the front against the German invaders and for the courage and bravery displayed during this, sergeant Gudimenko Nikolai Ivanovich was awarded the Order of Glory 1st degree.
Demobilized in 1945. Returned to his homeland. Worked as a lathe operator at a factory, and from 1950 – in various organizations in the city of Frunze (now Bishkek).
Nikolai Ivanovich passed away on June 6, 1969.
Awarded the Orders of Glory 1st (April 10, 1945), 2nd (September 29, 1944), and 3rd (July 21, 1944) degrees, and medals.
Kyrgyzstanis – Full Knights of the Order of Glory
