Dmitry Sergeyevich Zherebin was born in a large peasant family on 23 February 1906 in the village of Izmaylovo, Pereslavsky Uyezd, Vladimir Governorate.

[2] Upon graduation in September 1927, Zherebin was appointed a platoon commander in the 10th Railroad Regiment of the Separate Red Banner Caucasus Army.

For his performance in organizing engineer support for Spanish Republican forces, he was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner and the Medal "For Courage".

In this role, he took part in the Battle of Lake Khasan, receiving a second Order of the Red Banner for his performance in organizing engineer support.

[2] Zherebin was one of the Soviet commanders featured in Viktor Tyomin's photograph of the flag raising on Zaozernaya Hill during the battle, published in the newspaper Pravda.

On 14 January 1945, the corps of Comrade Zherebin broke through the strongly fortified enemy defense zone on the Magnuszew bridgehead and developing the success forced a crossing of the Pilica river, ensuring the timely commitment of the 2nd Guards Tank Army into the breakthrough.

During ten days of offensive operations the corps of Comrade Zherebin advanced up to 250 kilometers in fighting, destroying and capturing a great quantity of soldiers, officers and enemy equipment.

He is worthy of the award of the Order of Lenin.Between 30 January and 30 March 1945 Zherebin was credited with skillfully organizing the operations of the corps to take and expand a bridgehead on the left bank of the Oder river and the capture of Kustrin.

In the fighting, Zherebin was evaluated as follows: "he skillfully led the combat operations of the corps, maintained close cooperation of infantry with artillery, displayed courage and persistence, to fulfill the task to take Berlin."

Comrade Zherebin thoroughly prepared the offensive on Kustrin, unexpectedly entering the city with the forces of five regiments, dividing the enemy group and cutting it off from the crossing, completely destroying and capturing it.

In the fighting for the city of Kustrin the 32nd Rifle Corps destroyed up to 4,00 and captured 3,500 soldiers and officers of the enemy, in addition to rich trophies.

Thanks to his bold maneuver and fine control of the battle a major group of the enemy, located in strongpoints (fortress) was eliminated with significantly few losses for our side.

Right after the capture of the city of Kustrin, Lieutenant General Zherebin rapidly and secretly crossed two divisions to the west bank of the Oder and with successful and decisive operations the corps expanded the bridgehead of the 5th Shock Army, linking it to the bridgehead of the 8th Guards Army, to create conditions for the offensive of major forces on Berlin.

During two days the 32nd Rifle Corps beat back a strong offensive of superior enemy forces, knocking out and destroying up to 70 tanks without surrendering a step of its positions.

Breaking through several strong fortified lines, the units of the 32nd Rifle Corps burst into Berlin and after nine days of sustained fighting took its central part.