| Sakhalin Rifle Division (1938–1939) 79th Mountain Rifle Division (1939–1940) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1938–1994 |
| Country |  Soviet Union (to 1991) Russia (1991–1994) |
| Branch | Soviet Army |
| Type | Motorized infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Leonidovo |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Decorations |  Order of the Red Banner |
| Battle honours | Sakhalin |
The79th Motor Rifle Division was a motorized infantry division of theSoviet Army. It was converted from the 79th Rifle Division in 1957 and inherited the honorific "Sakhalin". The division was awarded theOrder of the Red Banner.[1] The 79th Rifle Division fought in theInvasion of South Sakhalin in 1945 and was based atLeonidovo for most of its career.[2]
The 79th traces its history back to the formation of the Sakhalin Rifle Division on 17 August 1938. In January 1939, the division became the 79th Mountain Rifle Division, commanded by KombrigIvan Makarenko. In 1940, it was converted into the 79th Rifle Division. It became part of the16th Army's56th Rifle Corps in 1943. During August and September 1945, the division fought in theInvasion of South Sakhalin. For its actions in the invasion, the division was awarded the honorific "Sakhalin".[3][4] During the battle for south Sakhalin, 179th Rifle Regiment Battalion commander CaptainLeonid Smirnykh was posthumously awarded the titleHero of the Soviet Union after his battalion captured 5 bunkers and Smirnykh was killed by sniper fire.[5] SergeantAnton Buyukly was also made a Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously in 1965 for his sacrifice in blocking a bunker firing slit with his body.[6]
The division became the 79th Motor Rifle Division on 17 May 1957 inLeonidovo, part of the15th Army. In March 1960, it became part of the2nd Army Corps. On 22 February 1968, it was awarded theOrder of the Red Banner on the Soviet Army's 50th anniversary.[4] The division became part of the51st Army in 1977. During theCold War, the division was maintained at 15% strength. In 1994, the division was disbanded.[1]
The following officers commanded the division.[3]
The 79th Rifle Division included the following units.[7]
The 79th Motor Rifle Division included the following units in 1988. All units are based at Leonidovo unless noted.[1]
 Divisions of the Soviet Union 1945–1957 | |||||||||
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| Artillery |
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| Rifle |
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Guards units marked inbold. | |||||||||