SUSU Military Training Centre will be named after of Semyon Khokhryakov twice awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. A few days ago, the document on naming the Centre after the hero tankman was handed to the Head of the Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Karpov.
“We tell our students about our fellow compatriots who did heroic deeds during the Great Patriotic War, including the deeds by Semyon Khokhryakov. In Chelyabinsk there is even a street named after him, but not so many people know who he was. In addition, when talking about heroes, we show the future defenders of the Motherland an example of heroism and courage, because these qualities are also applicable in everyday, civil life. Of course, we are very proud that the SUSU Military Training Centre now is named after the twice Hero of the Soviet Union, it is a great honour and great responsibility,” said Colonel Konstantin Krikunov, Deputy Head of the SUSU Military Training Centre.
Semyon Khokhryakov, who was born in Koelga settlement of the Chelyabinsk Region, during the Great Patriotic War, fought on the Western and Kalinin fronts, took part in the battle for Moscow, and was wounded four times, one of the wounds was severe. Semyon Khokhryakov was awarded the first Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union for commanding a battalion in the battles for Proskurov, and the second Star for outstanding actions in the Vistula-Oder Offensive. Semyon Khokhryakov's battalion liberated Europe, cleaning the way for the Red Army to Berlin. He died on April 17, 1945 in a battle on German territory near the village of Gahry. He was posthumously nominated for the third Golden Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union, but the ceremony has not yet been organized.