Valentin Kotyk

Valentin Aleksandrovich Kotyk (1930-02-11 - 1944-02-17) - was a Soviet pioneer and a partisan scout. He was also the youngest ever Hero of Soviet Union.

During the German-Soviet War he participated in partisan movement in Ukraine. At first, he was an orderly, later he participated in fights, was wounded twice, killed in action during the battle for Iziaslav. He received the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class and the Medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War".

In 1957 a film devoted to him was shot. In 1958 he posthumuously received the rank of the Hero of Soviet Union . After that, a number of streets, pioneer teams, schools, steam-ships were named after him, and a number of monuments were erected.