24.11.1910 - 12.5.1975

Ivan Boyko was a commander of tank regiment and brigade of the 1^st Tank Army of the 1^st Ukrainian Front.

He was born on November 24, 1910 in Zhornishche village (today Ilinetsky district of the Vinnytsa region, the Ukraine). Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1940.

Joined the Red / Soviet Army in 1930. In 1936, he graduated from the Ulyanovsk g Armored school; in 1939 - armored courses. Participated in the fighting on the Khalkhin-Gol River in 1939.

During the Great Patriotic War joined the active army in October 1941. Fought in the famed 1^st Tank Army (the 1^st Guards Tank Army), commanded by General M. Katukov.

The 69^th Guards Tank Regiment of Guards Major, I. Boyko distinguished in the Zhitomir-Berdichev operation of the 1^st Ukrainian Front, where the tankers of the 1^st Tank Army on December 28, 1943 liberated Kazatin-city of the Vinnytsa region from the Nazis.

For his regimental leadership, personal courage in fighting for Kazatin, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on January 10, 1944 Ivan Boyko was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (№ 2072).

On February 1, 1944 I. Boyko assumed command of the 64^th Guards Tank Brigade, which he led to the victory, ending the war in the capital of Nazi Germany - Berlin. Warriors- tankers of Brigade Commander, Ivan Boyko, consisting of the 1^st Ukrainian Front, distinguished themselves in the Proskurov- Chernovitsy operation, during which they liberated Novoselytsa and Czernovits (Chernovtsy). By the order of the Supreme Commander dated March 30, 1944 the troops distinguished themselves in the liberation of Czernovits (Chernovtsy), are thanked and given a salute in Moscow of 20 artillery salvos from 224 guns.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on April 26, 1944 for his successful command of the 64^th Guards Tank Brigade, and heroism in crossing the rivers Dniester and Prut, and the release of Czernovits (Chernovtsy), Guards Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Boyko was awarded the second Gold Star medal.

After the war, Colonel Ivan Boyko commanded a tank regiment, was deputy corps commander. In 1948 he graduated from the academic courses at the Military Academy of Armored and mechanized forces. Since 1956 - in reserve.

Died on May 12, 1975. He was buried in the capital of Ukraine - Kiev, at Lukyanovka military cemetery.

He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, the 2^nd Class Order of Suvorov, the 2^nd Class Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, the 1^st Class Order of the Patriotic War, the Order of the Red Star, and medals, as well as a foreign order. In 1982, one of the streets in Kiev was named after him.