The testimony of a forgotten hero. Part 2

A powerful story of human bravery and endurance in 2 parts SEMYON GRINYOV, The Forgotten Hero, was presented in the Russian Language program on 16&23 June 2207 in feature series “PEOPLE AND LIFE’. On 29 October 1955 Semyon Grinyov was 23 years old and serving in the Soviet Navy at the Black Sea on a military cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov. That night a powerful explosion ripped through the Battleship "Novorossiysk" anchored nearby. Until 1948 this ship was a part of the Italian Navy under the name Giulio Cesare, but after World War II was transferred to USSR as part of the war reparations . According to official sources 609 men lost their lives in the worst disaster in the history of the Soviet Navy. But some contemporary researchers claim even a higher toll of 829 people dead. Semyon Grinyov with seamen from other military ships in the area took part in rescue operation and will never forget the terror, anguish and helplessness he felt that night. The Soviet government decided to hide the disaster. No mention of it was made in the domestic press, the victims were buried in a common grave at military cemetery in Sevastopol, and the survivors were warned not to speak of the incident. Some details were only uncovered after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Researching the program we have found out that in 1999 Semyon Grinyov (then - Greenberg) has been awarded the Medal of Bravery of Russian Federation, of which he never knew.

Semyon Grinyov (Grinberg) in 1955, two months before the disaster Source: Supplied

Novorossiysk at anchor, flying the Soviet ensign (1950) Source: Public domain

Source: SBS