Ivan Moshlyak

Ivan Nikonovich Moshlyak (; 15 October 1907 – 22 April 1981) was a major general in the Soviet Army who received the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his heroism in the Battle of Lake Khasan during the Soviet–Japanese border conflicts.

Early life Moshlyak was born on 15 October 1907 in the village of Rodino in Tomsk Governorate, into a peasant family. His father was a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War and moved to Siberia from Ukraine, like most of the villagers. During his childhood, Moshlyak knew the Ukrainian language better than Russian.

Military career In February 1930, he was drafted into the ranks of the Red Army. He was sent to serve in the 118th Rifle Regiment of the 40th Rifle Division in the Siberian Military District, where it based in Slavgorod. In 1930 he graduated from the regimental school, where he continued to serve. Moshlyak was commander of the department, deputy commander of the platoon, sergeant training battalion and platoon commander of the sniper team. In 1931, the regiment and division in full strength were assigned to the Special Red Banner Far Eastern Army and transferred to the border near the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo.

With the introduction of military ranks in the Red Army in 1935, he was awarded the rank of junior lieutenant and was promoted to lieutenant two years later.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 25 October 1938, Lieutenant Moshlyak was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for heroism and courage shown in battles against Japanese forces.

On 22 March 22, 1943, he was assigned as commander of the 62nd Guards Rifle Division, which fought on the Southwestern Front. The division was later assigned to the 2nd Ukrainian Front and later from November 1944 with the 3rd Ukrainian Front. While serving with the division, Moshlyak took part in the Izyum–Barvenkovo, Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovograd, Uman–Botoșani, Second Jassy–Kishinev, Balaton, Budapest and Vienna offensives.

The division distinguished itself during the liberation of the cities of Starobilsk, Izium, Zvenyhorodka, Bonyhád, Székesfehérvár and Győr. For its merits in combat, the division was also awarded the Orders of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd class and the Red Banner.

From May 1946, he served as deputy commander of the 98th Guards Rifle Division in the Moscow and Far Eastern Military Districts. In November 1946, Moshlyak was appointed as the commander of the newly created 98th Guards Airborne Division. From February 1948, he served as the deputy commander of the 99th Guards Airborne Division in the Far East. In October 1948, he was assigned as the Deputy Commander of the 15th Guards Rifle Division in the Carpathian Military District and from August 1949 to October 1950, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 24th Rifle Division within the same military district.

In October 1952, he graduated from the basic course of the Higher Military Academy named after K. E. Voroshilov and was appointed commander of the 45th Guards Rifle Division of the Leningrad Military District. From July 1958, Moshlyak was appointed as the Deputy Commander for Combat Training and head of the Combat Training Department within the 7th Guards Army of the Transcaucasian Military District. From October 1964, he served as deputy head of the Military Academy of Logistics and Transport for operational-tactical and drill training. In July 1968, Moshlyak was transferred to the reserve.

Later life After his retirement from military, Moshlyak lived in Leningrad. He died on 22 April 1981 and was buried at the Serafimovskoe Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Hero of the Soviet Union (25 October 1938) Order of Lenin, twice (25 October 1938, 5 November 1954) Order of the Red Banner, twice (27 February 1944, 15 November 1950) Order of Suvorov, 2nd class (25 October 1943) Order of Kutuzov, 2nd class (28 April 1945) Orders of the Patriotic War, 1st class, twice (15 September 1944, 11 March 1985 [posthumous]) Order of the Red Banner of Labour Order of the Red Star (3 November 1944) Order of Tudor Vladimirescu, 2nd class (Romania) Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) campaign and jubilee medals