Arkady Chepelev

Arkady Yegorovich Chepelev (Russian: Аркадий Егорович Чепелев; 24 January 1915 – 31 July 1985) was a Red Army Starshina or sergeant major and Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the title for ferrying weapons and ammunition to troops in the Dnieper bridgehead and repelling counterattacks during the Battle of the Dnieper. Chepelev continued to fight in combat and served with the 167th Rifle Division during the Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive and Battle of the Dukla Pass, among others. He was demobilized postwar and returned to Voronezh, working as a mechanic in an aircraft factory.

Early life Chepelev was born on 24 January 1915 in the village of Tamlyk in Voronezh Governorate to a peasant family. After he completed four years of primary school, Chepelev's family moved to Voronezh.

World War II In April 1942, Chepelev was drafted into the Red Army. He was sent to the 180th Separate Sapper Battalion of the 167th Rifle Division in April 1943.

By September 1943, he was a senior sergeant commanding a sapper squad in the battalion. On 12 September, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star. He fought in the Battle of the Dnieper. On 26 September, Chepelev and his squad cleared lanes in German minefields near Vyshhorod, enabling the advance of infantry units. During the subsequent crossing of the Dnieper, Chepelev reportedly made several trips on a raft, ferrying weapons and ammunition to troops on the west bank. Chepelev's squad reportedly built an improvised rowboat and ferried two artillery guns and an infantry battalion across the river. On 3 November, Chepelev helped repulse German counterattacks on the bridgehead. In January 1945, he fought in the Western Carpathian Offensive. During April, he fought in the Moravian-Ostrava Offensive. Chepelev died on 31 July 1985 and was buried in the city's Southwestern Cemetery.