Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov posthumously received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He died quite young. He was only 19 years old. However, the hero left a wife and a little daughter, whom he loved very much.
Various Interests
It's hard to believe that in his young years Andrey Aleksandrovich Melnikov took care of his family and was a support for his parents. Strong and courageous, he also cared for his daughter dearly at the same time.
After graduating from college, Andrei went to work at the Dneprovsky collective farm. Not having much experience, he managed to develop a new variety of red carnations. In general, no matter what Andrei undertook, everything turned out well for him. He knew how to repair equipment and bake pies. Being drafted into the army, he secretly wrote an application from his relatives to be sent to Afghanistan, and wanted to be a paratrooper.
What was defended
In the army, Private Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov showed his best side. Only the best would be entrusted with a machine gun, which used to belong to the Hero of the USSR I. Chmurov. A platoon of the 9th company of the 345th separate guards regiment was instructed to defend height 3234. Thiswas strategically important. Those who occupied it would be able to control the road from Gardez to Khost. From a height of 3234, a view of the terrain was opened for several kilometers in any direction, which made it possible to see the movement of the enemy.
This height was occupied in December 1987 by our fighters. But the enemies repeatedly tried to recapture it and thus gain an advantage in hostilities. Fights took place daily. Our fighters, among whom was Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov, regularly repelled the shelling that the militants fired from artillery weapons.
Bloody fight
The tragic battle took place on January 7, 1988. The Mujahideen, outnumbering those who defended the height, went on the assault. They fired continuously with mortars and other weapons. The space was covered with smoke, it smelled of burning, visibility was poor. Despite the fact that the area around the height was mined, Afghan fighters began to attack, moving along the corridors left by our paratroopers between the shells.
The situation was becoming critical. The Mujahideen managed to get very close, and if reinforcements had not arrived in time for the 9th company, they would have to give way to the enemy. The militants were at such a distance that it became possible to use hand grenades. There were many Afghans. They made 12 attacks in total.
The Last Battle
Melnikov Andrei Alexandrovich died, reflecting the last of them. He did not leave his post and continued to fight even when the ammunition ran out. In spite ofmachine-gun bursts, the militants came very close. Remembering his comrades who decided not to give up the height, Andrey Aleksandrovich Melnikov threw a grenade.
According to eyewitnesses, at that moment there was a lull. Andrei, having decided that the battle was over, watched as the militants, taking away the wounded and carrying away the dead, went back into the gorge. At that moment, a mine exploded next to him, one of the fragments mortally wounded Melnikov.
After death
For Andrey's relatives, it is a great consolation to be given a high rank. This means that he is not forgotten, and the country remembers its hero. In addition to the title, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Lenin. The order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR dated 1988-26-12 included him forever in the 345th Guards Regiment. The machine gun, which was twice in the hands of the heroes, became an exhibit of the museum. In his native city of Mogilev, Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov also received various honors. Secondary school No. 28 is named after him. His name is engraved on a stele erected in memory of the soldiers who died in Afghanistan on the territory of the former vocational school No. 1, where the hero studied in the village of Buynichi. On the grave in Mogilev, on a high stand made of black granite, there is a bronze bust of Melnikov in a landing uniform. And in Mogilev, annual judo tournaments are held in memory of him. The city bus route No. 10 is also named after Andrey Melnikov.
During his military service, Andrei sent letters home. Now they are like a piece of historythey say that such a person lived on earth, loved his relatives, steadfastly endured difficulties. In turn, colleagues sent letters to his parents with words of support and condolences after his death. In them, they speak of him as a kind, sympathetic comrade. Simple sincere words helped Melnikov's family to bear the loss more easily. And his feat will always be remembered by our descendants.
