Vasyl Korol, a native of the village of Lyakhivtsi in modern days Transcarpathia, was awarded the highest state award of the Czech Republic – Military Order of the White Lion – reports Radio "Svoboda".
The award for outstanding achievements in the protection of the state was presented by the Czech President Vaclav Klaus on the occasion of the state holiday of the Czech Republic, the Day of the founding of the Independent Czechoslovakia, which is celebrated on October 28.
Vasyl Korol was born in 1922 in Transcarpathia, which then was a part of Czechoslovakia. After the occupation of Transcarpathia by the then pro-Nazi Hungary in 1939, the 16-year-old boy decided to flee to the Soviet Union, hoping to fight for a free Czechoslovakia there. But once on the border he was arrested and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment in Siberia.
After his release, Vasyl Korol joined the Czechoslovak army, which was being formed on the territory of the Soviet Union, and took part in the liberation of Kyiv, Bila Tserkva and in other battles. In the battle at Dukelsky pass he was badly wounded, lost an arm. Vasyl Korol was discharged from the army in 1949 with the rank of second lieutenant. December 15 this year, Major Vasyl Korol will celebrate 90 years. Despite the age, he is now an active member of the Union of Czech Legionnaires.
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