Kostyuk, Joseph Stepanovich

Joseph Kostyuk was born on April 15, 1919 in the village of Orepy (now - Novograd-Volynsky district of the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine ). After graduating from a rural school, he worked on a collective farm , at the same time he studied at a zootechnical school, and completed three of his courses. In October 1939, Kostyuk was called up for service in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army . Since November 1941 - on the fronts of World War II. He took part in the battles on the Kalinin and 1st Belorussian fronts, was wounded twice. In 1944, Kostyuk graduated from the Kamyshin Tank School. By January 1945, Senior Lieutenant Joseph Kostyuk commanded a company of the 267th Tank Battalion of the 23rd Tank Brigade of the 9th Tank Corps of the 38th Army of the 1st Belorussian Front. Distinguished himself during the Vistula-Oder operation ^[1] .

Rota Kostyuk took part in fierce battles with the enemy near the city of Opochno . For twenty days she fought continuously, often falling into the environment. In one of those battles, Kostyuk was injured, but continued to lead the unit entrusted to him. Bypassing Opochna, a company from the rear attacked the German units, destroying 2 tanks , 4 self-propelled artillery installations , 22 anti-tank guns, 127 vehicles, as well as several hundred enemy soldiers and officers. German troops were forced to retreat, leaving a large number of weapons ^[1] .

By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR of February 27, 1945 for “courage and heroism shown in the battles during the liberation of Poland,” senior lieutenant Joseph Kostyuk was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal number 7250 ^{[1 ]} .

In 1946, Kostyuk was sacked. He lived in Novograd-Volynsky , worked first as the deputy director of the creamery, then as the director of the mill. He died on March 17, 1981, was buried at the Novograd-Volynsky city cemetery ^[1] .

He was also awarded the Order of the Red Banner and a number of medals ^[1] .

• Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary / Prev. ed. collegium I. N. Shkadov . - M .: Military Publishing , 1987.- T. 1 / Abaev - Lyubichev /. - 911 p. - 100,000 copies. - ISBN comp., Reg. RCP No. 87-95382.
• Golden Stars of Polesie. - 3rd ed. - Kiev, 1985.