Ivan Krillovich Smedinskii was born on 14 June 1921 into a family farmers living in the village of Troitsoke, near Odessa.  At the ripe old age of 18, he joined the Soviet Army as a tankist.  His service began in the 11th Tank Depot Regiment, as a student, learning to become a driver-mechanic in the T-26 tank.  On 24 May 1940, he was sent to his first actual unit, the 1st Red Banner Tank Division, stationed near Pskov, south of Leningrad.  

As the driver of a T-26 light tank, he was stationed with the 1st Motorized Pontoon Battalion.  On 19 June 1941, the unit began moving by rail from Pskov to Kandalashka, just south of the Arctic Circle.  At the outbreak of War, the division went into action with the 42nd Rifle Corps.  However, the terrain was too rough for the use of armor, and the tanks were used as infantry support in small units against the German Army Group North.  

In August, the unit was moved back south to Kingisepp, supporting in the defense of Leningrad against the German invaders.

At this point, in October 1941, he was transferred to the a front-line tank recovery unit, operating in the defense of Leningrad.  

His service record then fast-forwards to January 1943, where we find him serving as the Deputy Regimental Chief of Staff, as a Senior Lieutenant with a front line Tank unit, the 3rd Separate Guards Tank "Breakthrough" Regiment (heavy tanks), equipped with the new "KV" tanks.  As a "Separate" unit, they served in the role of infantry support, amongst various units in the Baltic states. 

While serving here, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star, with the following citation: 

"Comrade Smedinskii, serving as the Regimental Deputy Chief of Staff, has taken part in all operations which the Regiment has participated in since 5 January 1943.

"Comrade Smedinskii has always demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery, tactically guiding the Regiment’s units in combat.  Numerous times he went to the front, under enemy fire, restored communications and cooperation between the Regiment’s tank units and our infantry units.

"In every battle the Regiment has fought, despite difficult situations, he personally supervised out tank’s movements.  In the battle near Staraya Russa on 19 August 1943, he personally organized the movement of our tanks from the neutral zone, and recovered three KV tanks despite heavy enemy fire and extreme risk of life. 

"During the month of March 1943, in addition to his normal duties, he also served as the Regimental Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of reconnaissance.  His skilful, dynamic and persistent work in all manner of responsibilities within the Regiment provided vital information  to the Commander and Headquarters.  

"For his demonstrated courage, bravery and determination in combat, and his skilful organization of unit cooperation and management, he deserves the governmental award: Order of the Red Star."

He remained in the Regiment until January 1944, when he was wounded in action, and was temporarily removed from the Front. 

In August 1944, he was re-assigned to the 1495th Red Banner Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment as the Adjutant to the Chief of Staff.  The unit was a front-line support unit, fighting with infantry units from the 2nd Shock Army on the Dvinsk axis.  In September 1944, the unit took part in the liberation of Estonia, and was awarded an honorific title for their role in the liberation of the Estonian port city of Parnu.

For this action, Lieutenant Smedinskii was awarded the Order of the Great Patriotic War, First Class:

"Comrade Smedinskii accomplished a large tasking, organizing and leading the reconnaissance of the enemy’s fire positions and defensive line.  Numerous times, he provided vital information about the enemy’s location.

"During the period of combat from 17 through 26 September 1944, Comrade Smedinskii demonstrated himself as a brave, courageous and skillful reconnaissance commander.  Overcoming the difficulties of his tasking, he provided information about the enemy’s location, giving the Regiment the opportunity to make the right tactical decisions.  Comrade Smedinskii personally lead the reconnaissance missions, despite the constant danger and strong enemy artillery fire.

"On 19 September 1944, the retreating enemy blew up the bridge over the river Pediya, taking up fortified positions on the right bank.  The approaches to the river were under heavy enemy fire.  It was thus necessary to find a place to ford the river.  Comrade Smedinskii fulfilled this task and supervised the fording of the river by our tanks.  He was wounded but refused to leave the battlefield, bravely and steadfastly carrying out his tasking.

"For the excellent execution of the tasks set before him by the unit Commander, for his demonstrated courage, bravery and determination, Comrade Smedinskii deserves the governmental award: Order of the Red Star."

At the end of 1944, the 1495th was moved to the 65th Army on the 2nd Belorussian Front, in support of Rifle Corps of the 65th Army.

In January 1945, they were cited for the liberation of Nasielsk, Poland.  Here, Lieutenant Smedinskii was awarded his final decoration of the War, the Order of Bogdan Khmelnitskii, 3rd Class.  His citation is as follows:

"Comrade Smedinskii, while serving in the position of Deputy Commander of the Regiment, demonstrated himself as a brave and dynamic organizer during the period of military actions from 14 to 25 January. 

"Responsible for the unit’s operational documents, he provided timely information to the Commander. Comrade Smedinskii organized and maintained constant communication with all units, and controlled the ammunition and fuel supply for the fighting machinery.

"During the attack on the city of Yablonovo on 24 January, the enemy put up strong resistance.  Comrade Smedinskii personally lead a reconnaissance of the front lines, and relayed vital information on the location of the enemy’s fire points, providing our forces the opportunity to understand the enemy’s plans and capture Yablonovo. 

"While leading this operation, Comrade Smedinskii was wounded in the arm, but refused to leave the battle field until he was ordered a second time. 

"For the excellent execution of military tasks of the Commander and demonstrated heroism during the reconnaissance of the front line of the enemy, Comrade Smedinskii deserves the governmental award the Order of Patriotic War First Class."

In February, they rolled through Czarne, during the Vistula-Oder Operation, and in March 1945, the Regiment was cited again, this time for the liberation of Danzig, Poland.  

At this point, they moved north, and remained in the Baltics, traveling as far north as Ribnitz, on the German coastline, mopping up areas of coastline until the cessation of hostilities in May, 1945.  

Lieutenant Smedinskii continued in the Soviet Army, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel, before his retirement in the 1960's.