The Feat of Ivan Shishunov

Twenty-year-old Guards Junior Sergeant Ivan Alekseyevich Shishunov performed his heroic feat during street fighting for the town of Várpalota on 21 March 1945.

The company in which he served was halted by heavy machine-gun fire from enemy troops entrenched in a house. Ivan volunteered to destroy the enemy machine gun. He managed to reach the house and, as the Germans were changing the ammunition belt, threw a grenade through the window.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Shishunov stormed into the house and killed the German troops defending it with his submachine gun. Around 30 enemy soldiers attempted to retake the house. Ivan opened fire with the captured machine gun and held the building, killing 23 German soldiers. The courageous soldier was wounded in the fighting but remained in action.

Our positions were then attacked by seven German tanks and self-propelled guns. At this critical moment in the battle, the wounded Shishunov performed his heroic feat. Taking anti-tank grenades, he crawled towards the leading enemy vehicle. The Guards Junior Sergeant was wounded again but continued towards his target. When Ivan reached the enemy vehicle, he detonated the grenades beneath it, destroying both the vehicle and himself. The remaining enemy tanks turned back. Through his heroic sacrifice, Ivan Shishunov ensured that his battalion accomplished its combat mission and brought the long-awaited Victory Day closer.