Valentin Kotyk

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

Valentin Kotyk
Born	11 February 1930 Khmelivka, Ukraine SSR, Soviet Union
Died	17 February 1944(1944-02-17) (aged 14) Iziaslav, Ukraine SSR, Soviet Union
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Awards	Hero of the 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 posthumously 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.