In funds of the Museum of War, there is a collection of materials belonging to the renowned military commander and diplomat, Hero of Ukraine Kuzma Derevianko. These unique artifacts were first presented in the new Ukraine-oriented museum exhibition in 1994. Among them is a letter from U.S. President Harry Truman notifying Derevianko of his inclusion in the list of recipients of the U.S. military award "Legion of Merit" at the officer level for his conscientious and exemplary performance of service duties, as well as his participation in successful combat operations for the liberation of European countries.
The "Legion of Merit" is a military award of the U.S. Armed Forces, given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service and achievements. It is awarded to military personnel from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as foreign military and political figures.
Kuzma Derevianko was born in the Uman region. Despite numerous hardships, he became a talented intelligence officer, fluent in several foreign languages, including Japanese, and at the age of 37, he was promoted to the rank of general. He proved to be an effective commander and diplomat of the highest state level. During the German-Soviet war, he led military intelligence departments in the staffs of armies and fronts engaged in combat operations in Ukraine and Europe. Derevianko was not a typical Soviet commander, willing to achieve success at any cost. His comrades-in-arms noted that he was a caring leader who always fought alongside his troops when necessary. He was appointed as the representative of the Soviet Supreme Command at the headquarters of the Allied forces led by American General Douglas MacArthur, who were fighting Japanese forces in the Pacific.
Derevianko, who was fluent in Japanese and English, was authorized to sign the document of historical significance – the Instrument of Surrender of Japan. The ceremony took place aboard the U.S. battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, marking the conclusion of the Second World War.
By Stalin’s order, General Kuzma Derevianko visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 to document the aftermath with photos, but he was exposed to high doses of radiation. He passed away in 1954 at the age of 50. He was a representative of his time, shaped as a Soviet intelligence officer, and served the regime, yet this did not prevent him from becoming a person in whom a rich spiritual world harmoniously combined with a high level of military professionalism. Until the end, he remained loyal to his homeland – Ukraine. "I have seen many peoples and many countries, but I have never felt better anywhere than at home. Having experienced life abroad, I cannot imagine myself anywhere other than my beloved homeland…" said he.
By a decree of the President of Ukraine dated May 7, 2007, for his courage and selflessness during the Second World War and his outstanding diplomatic contributions to post-war international relations, General-Lieutenant Kuzma Derevianko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star.