Dmitry Zherebin
Dmitry Sergeyevich Zherebin (February 23, 1906 – June 27, 1982) was a Soviet colonel general and Hero of the Soviet Union who held corps and division commands during World War II. An engineer by training, he served as a military adviser in the Spanish Civil War and later held senior staff positions before and during the war.
Born into a large peasant family in Izmaylovo, Vladimir Governorate, Zherebin grew up in Zagorsk. He joined the Moscow Military Engineering School in 1923, graduating in 1927, and began his career as a platoon commander in the 10th Railroad Regiment. He continued his studies at military schools and the Military Engineering Academy, finishing in 1936 as chief of staff of the Separate Sapper Battalion of the Moscow Proletarian Rifle Division.
Zherebin fought abroad as a military adviser in the Spanish Civil War (1937–1938), earning the Order of the Red Banner and the Medal “For Courage.” Upon returning to the Soviet Union, he worked in the Red Army’s engineering staff and later served on the Far Eastern Front, where he took part in the Battle of Lake Khasan and received a second Order of the Red Banner.
During World War II, Zherebin remained in the Far East for some time before taking command in 1942 of the 96th Rifle Division. He fought with the division near Stalingrad and later led the 58th Guards Rifle Division. From May 1943 he commanded the 32nd Rifle Corps, leading it through major operations across Ukraine, Romania, and into the final battles for Berlin. He played a key role in the Kishinev offensive, the crossing of the Pilica and Oder rivers, and the capture of Berlin. He was promoted to major general in January 1943, to lieutenant general in April 1945, and received the title Hero of the Soviet Union on May 29, 1945. His awards also included the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner (two times), and the Order of Kutuzov, 2nd class, along with the Medal “For Courage.”
After the war, Zherebin continued to command the 32nd Rifle Corps in the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany. He then held senior positions in the Moscow Military District, served as a military adviser in the Warsaw Pact, and worked with the General Staff and air defense forces. In 1959 he became commander of the Special Leningrad Air Defense Army, which was later reorganized as the 6th Separate Air Defense Army. He was promoted to colonel general in 1961 and served as a representative to the Polish Armed Forces from 1962 until his retirement in 1968.
Zherebin lived in Moscow after retirement and remained active in veterans’ organizations. He died on June 27, 1982, and was buried at Kuntsevo Cemetery. He was an honorary citizen of Kishinev and Serafimovich.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:09 (CET).