1. 5. 1922

Vitaly Popkov was commander of the 5^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 207^th Fighter Aviation Division of the 3^rd mixed aviation corps of the 17^th Air Army of the Southwestern Front, squadron commander of the 5^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 11^th Guards Fighter Aviation Division of the 2^nd Guards Ground Attack Air Corps of the 2^nd Air Army of the 1^st Ukrainian Front.

He was born on May 1, 1922 in Moscow in a working class family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1943. He graduated from Moscow High School number 94.

Joined the Red Army in 1940. Began his service as a cadet at Chuguev military aviation pilot school. Then he graduated from Bataisk military aviation school. From May 1942 he was on the front. He fought on the Kalinin, Don, South-West, Steppenwolf, the 1^st and the 3^rd Ukrainian Fronts. Was a flight commander and squadron. During the Great Patriotic War fighter pilot Popkov made more than 400 combat missions and successfully conducted 117 fights, he personally shot down 41 enemy planes (1 – during ram attack) and one in a group.

19. 1. 1923 - 27. 5. 2002

Alexey Prokhorov was a bomber pilot.

He was born on January 19, 1923 in Rozhdestvenskoye, Borisoglebsk district of the Voronezh region. Russian. In 1940 he graduated from Borisoglebsk Aero Club.

In the Army since 1940. He studied at Balashov military aviation school, and after graduating in 1942 he was sent to Leningrad, and then to the 3^rd Belorussian Front. He fought in the 15^th Guards Regiment assault. Was a flight commander, squadron. During the war he made 238 sorties on the Il-2.

8. 2. 1909 - 28. 12. 1996

Vasily Rakov was squadron commander of the 57^th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Air Baltic Fleet), Major; commander of the 12^th Guards dive bomber regiment (the 8^th mine and torpedo Air Division, Air Baltic Fleet), Guards Lieutenant Colonel.

He was born on January 26 (February 8) in 1909 in St. Petersburg. Russian. Childhood and adolescence spent in Bolshoye Kuznechkovo, now Kuvshinovsky district of the Tver region. In 1926 he graduated from high school, in 1928 – Factory Trade Apprenticeship. He worked at a timber yard.

Joined the Army from December 1928. In 1929 he graduated from Leningrad military theoretical school of the Air Force, in 1930 - Kachin Air Force Pilot School, in 1931 - Sebastopol Military Aviation School of naval pilots. He served in the Naval Aviation (the Baltic Fleet), went from pilot to squadron commander. In 1938 he graduated from Lipetsk senior aviation courses. He commanded the air squadron (Baltic Fleet Air Force).

9. 2. 1920 - 22. 12. 1990

Gregory Rechkalov was commander of the 16^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (the 216^th Composite Air Division, the 4^th Air Army, the North-Caucasian Front), Guards Lieutenant, deputy commander of the 16^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (the 9^th Guards Fighter Division, the 7^th Fighter Aviation Corps, the 5^th Air Army, the 2^nd Ukrainian Front), Guards Captain.

He was born on February 9, 1920 in Khudyakovo (now - within the boundaries of Zaikovo, Irbit district of Sverdlovsk region) in a peasant family. Russian. He graduated from the 6^th grade school.

In the Army since 1938. In 1939 he graduated from Perm Military Aviation Pilot School. He served in the Air Force combat units (in the Odessa Military District).

8. 3. 1905 - 13. 4. 1977

Alexander Rodimtsev was Soviet military commander, soldier-internationalist as part of Spanish Republicans, commander of the 32^nd Guards Rifle Corps of the 5th Guards Army of the 1^st Ukrainian Front.

He was born on March 8, 1905 in Sharlyk, Sharlyksky district of the Orenburg region in a poor peasant family. Russian.

Joined the Red Army in 1927. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1929. In 1932 he graduated from Military School named after the Central Executive Committee. He participated in the Civil War in Spain (under the pseudonym of Captain Paulito), in the liberation campaign in Western Belarus. In 1939 he graduated from Military Academy named after M. Frunze. In 1940 participated in the Russo-Finnish War.

21. 12. 1896 - 3. 8. 1968

Konstantin Rokossovsky – a distinguished Soviet leader, commanded the troops of the Bryansk, Central, the 1^st and the 2^nd Belorussian fronts, Marshal of the Soviet Union.

He was born in Velikie Luki in the family of a railroad engineer, on 9 (21) December 1896. A Pole. Joined CPSU in 1919. He participated in the First World War of 1914-1918. He fought in the cavalry regiment, was a non-commissioned officer.

Joined the Red Army in 1918. During the Civil War he commanded cavalry squadron and regiment. In 1925 he completed cavalry courses and in 1929 – advanced course for high senior officers at Frunze Military Academy. Participated in battles at the CER.

4. 11. 1894 - 19. 2. 1948

Pavel Rybalko was Commander of the 3^rd Guards Tank Army.

He was born on 4^th of November (23^rd of October) 1894 in the family of a factory worker in Malyy Istorop of Lebedinsky district, Sumy region. A Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1919. When he was 13 he began working at a sugar factory, then he was a turner’s student and attended Sunday school. Called to the army in 1914, he went through the first world war as a common soldier. After the October Revolution he joined the Red Guard. He was assistant commander of the guerrilla group during the occupation of the Ukraine by the German Army in 1918. In 1919 he joined the RCP (b). He participated in the civil war as a commissar of the regiment and brigade in the 1^st Cavalry Army fighting on the Southern Front, and in the Soviet-Polish war of 1920. He took advanced courses for command personnel in 1926 and 1930, graduated from the Military Academy named after M. Frunze in 1934. He commanded a squadron, regiment, brigade, was assistant commander of mountain cavalry division. In 1937 - 1940 served as a military attaché in Poland and China, and then started to teach.

27. 2. 1920 - 1. 8. 1992

Alexey Ryazanov was squadron commander of the 4^th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 287^th Fighter Air Division of the 4^th Air Army of the North-Caucasian Front, Major.

He was born on February 27, 1920 in Bolshaya Kochetovka, Tokarevsky district of Tambov region in a peasant family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1942. Joined the Red Army in 1939. He graduated from Borisoglebsk military flying school.

During the Great Patriotic War, A. Ryazanov fought on the South-West, Central, Bryansk, Stalingrad, Southern, Northern Caucasus, the 2^nd Baltic Fronts. He was a squadron commander and then deputy commander of an aviation regiment. He flew nearly 550 combat missions and spent more than 100 air battles, personally shot down 32 enemy planes and 16 – in a group.

25. 1. 1901 - 8. 7. 1951

Vasily Ryazanov was commander of the 1^st Attack Air Corps of the 5^th Air Army (the Steppe Front), Lieutenant General of Aviation, commander of the 1^st Guards Ground Attack Air Corps of the 2^nd Air Army (the 1^st Ukrainian Front), Guards General-Lieutenant.

He was born on 12 (25) January 1901 in Bolshoye Kozin (now - in the city of Balakhna, Nizhny Novgorod region). Russian. In 1914 he completed five years of a rural school, in 1916 - four years of a top junior high school in Balakhna. He served at the post office at Ruzaevka railway station, in 1917 - at the post office in Sormovo (now - within the boundaries of Nizhny Novgorod). In 1918 he worked at Red Sormovo factory, then – an instructor at Balakhna County Board of Education.

24. 12. 1910 - 6. 4. 1990

Evgeny Savitsky commanded the 3^rd Fighter Aviation Corps.

He was born on December 24, 1910 in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Territory in a working class family. Russian. He graduated from a factory trade apprenticeship, worked as a driver.

Joined the Red Army in 1929. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1931. He graduated from the Military Pilot School in 1932. In 1937, Lt. Savitsky commanded an echelon, and then a squadron and regiment. In 1941, Major Savitsky took over command of the fighter air division in the Far East.

26. 8. 1915 - 30. 5. 1942

Boris Safonov was a fighter pilot of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet.

He was born on 13 (26) August 1915 in Sinyavino, now Plavsk district of the Tula region in a peasant family. Russian. After completing 7 years at school in late 20s he entered a railroad trade factory apprenticeship in Tula. During the training, since 1931 he began to study in the Tula aero club, and a year later he was enlisted as a cadet pilot. His instructor was V. Grizodubova.

Joined the Red Army in 1933 and was sent to the first flying school named after A. Myasnikov which he graduated from in November 1934, with the highest marks for pilot technique, air firing and material part. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1939.

25. 3. 1923 - 20. 4. 1945

Nikolay Semeiko was Squadron navigator of the 75^th Guards Ground Attack Aviation Regiment and the navigator of the same regiment of the 1^st Guards assault aviation division of the 1^st Air Army of the 3^rd Belorussian Front, Guards Captain.

He was born on March 25, 1923 in Slavyansk (Donetsk region of the Ukraine) in a servant’s family. Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1943. He graduated from junior high school.

Joined the Red Army in 1940. In 1942 he graduated from Voroshilovgrad military aviation school for pilots and in the same year – advanced courses for commanders.

15. 10. 1921 - 5. 6. 1984

Vasily Senko was the crew navigator of the 752^th Aviation Regiment of the 24^th Air Division Long-Range Aviation, Lieutenant (in 1943), navigator of the 10^th Guards Aviation Regiment of the 3^rd Guards Air Division of the 3^rd Guards Air Corps of the 18^th Air Army, Guards Captain (in 1945). The only pilot of the Soviet Air Force to be twice awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

He was born on October 15, 1921 in Semenovka (now Chernigov region, the Ukraine) in a peasant family. Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1943. In 1940 he graduated from Novozybkov Pedagogical Institute. He worked as a teacher in Mileikovsky high school (Rognedinsky district, the Bryansk region.)

Joined the Red Army in 1940. In 1941 he graduated from Olsufievsky flying school.

10. 2. 1921

Gregory Sivkov was squadron commander, navigator of the 210^th Attack Aviation Regiment.

He was born on 10^th February 1921 in Martynovo, Kungur district, Perm region into a peasant family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1943. He graduated from the Aviation College.

Joined the Red Army in 1939. In 1940 he graduated from the Air Force Pilot School.

19. 5. 1920 - 14. 10. 1994

Nikolay Skomorokhov was squadron commander of the 31^st Fighter Regiment (the 295^th Fighter Air Division, the 9^th Mixed Air Corps, the 17^th Air Army, the 3^rd Ukrainian Front), Captain.

He was born on May 19, 1920 in Belogorskoye, Krasnoarmeyskiy (former Zolotovskiy) district of Saratov region into a peasant family. Russian. Prior to 1935 he studied at high school, and then he graduated from factory trade apprenticeship, worked as a fitter and turner at the Astrakhan plant, graduated from the Library College. From 1939 he studied in college and flying club.

7. 2. 1917 - 7. 8. 1987

Alexey Smirnov was deputy commander and squadron commander of the 28^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 5^th Guards Fighter Aviation Division.

He was born on February 7, 1917 in Paltsevo (now Rameshkovsky district of Tver region) into a peasant family. Karelian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1941. He graduated from junior high school, worked as a mechanic at Kalinin railway station.

Joined the Red Army in 1938. The same year he graduated from Odessa Military Aviation School of Pilots, and since December 1938 he was a pilot in the aviation wing of Moscow’s and then Leningrad military district. A member of the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-40.

13. 4. 1920 - 31. 5. 2007

Ivan Stepanenko was deputy squadron commander of the 4^th Fighter Regiment (11^th Mixed Air Corps, 15^th Air Army, Bryansk Front), a senior lieutenant.

He was born on April 13, 1920 in Nekhayki, now Drabovsky district of Cherkassy Oblast (the Ukraine). Ukrainian. He completed seven school classes. Since 1938 he worked as a mechanic at a factory in Dneprodzerzhinsk (Dnepropetrovsk region, the Ukraine). In 1940 he graduated from Dneprodzerzhinsk flying club.

He joined the Army in 1940. In 1941 he graduated from Katchin Military Aviation School. He served in the Air Force combat units (Odessa Military District).

12. 12. 1917 - 8. 9. 1946

Mikhail Stepanishchev was navigator of the 76^th Guards Ground Attack Aviation Regiment (the 1^st Guards Assault Air Division, the 8^th Air Army, the 4^th Ukrainian Front), Guards Captain; deputy commander of the 76^th Guards Ground Attack Aviation Regiment (the 1^st Guards Assault Air Division, the 1^st Air Army, the 3^rd Belorussian Front), Major.

He was born on 29^th November (12^th December) 1917 in Pervoye Kolesovo, now Zadonsk district of Lipetsk region. Russian. In January-June 1930 he worked as a shepherd and plowman on the farm. From 1930 he lived in Donetsk region (the Ukraine). In 1932 he completed 7 school years and Mining and Industrial College in Kadievka (now – Stakhanov, Donetsk region). He worked as an electrical mechanic at the mine, since 1935 – at Voroshilovgrad Locomotive Works (Luhansk). In 1937 he graduated from Voroshilovgrad flying club.

28. 3. 1913 - 14. 12. 1944

Nelson Stepanian was a bomber pilot of the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet.

He was born on March 28, 1913 in Shusha (Nagorny Karabakh), Azerbaijan into a servant’s family. Armenian. In 1935 he graduated from Bataisk School of Civil Navy.

In the early days of the Great Patriotic War N. Stepanian was sent to the Black Sea Fleet Aviation. He started his battles in the 46^th attack squadron in Nikolayev and Odessa. During the 20^th flight Nelson was wounded but managed to hang on his damaged plane to the airport. After hospital he fought in the 57^th Air Assault Regiment of the Baltic Fleet on the outskirts of Leningrad since August 1941.

22. 5. 1922 - 23. 2. 1993

Nikolay Stolyarov was commander of the 667^th Attack Aviation Regiment of the 292^nd Assault Air Division of the 1^st Attack Air Corps of the 5^th Air Army of the 2^nd Ukrainian Front; navigator of the 141^st Guards Attack Aviation Regiment of the 3^rd Guards assault aviation division of the 1^st Guards Ground Attack Air Corps of the 2^nd Air Army of the 1^st Ukrainian Front.

He was born on May 22, 1922 in Kazan, the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic into a working class family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1944. He completed 10 school years and the Kazan Aviation Club. Joined the Red Army in 1941. The same year he graduated from the Sverdlovsk military aviation school.

Entered the Great Patriotic War in December 1942. Was a pilot in the Attack Aviation Regiment, then flight commander of the 667^th Attack Aviation Regiment (the 292^nd Assault Air Division, the 1^st Attack Air Corps, the 5^th Air Army, the 2^nd Ukrainian Front).

2. 8. 1907 - 4. 7. 1941

Stepan Suprun was a fighter pilot and the first to be twice Hero of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War.

He was born on July 20^th (2^nd August) in 1907 in Rechki, now Belopolsky district of Sumy region (the Ukraine) into a peasant family. Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1930. In 1913 his family immigrated to Canada. He graduated from junior high school in Winnipeg. In 1922, together with his brother Fyodor he joined the Young Communist League. In 1924 the family returned to the USSR. Suprun lived in the Altai, and then in Alma-Ata. In autumn 1925 the family returned to the Ukraine. Stepan helped the handicraft-coachman. Then he worked as a carpenter in Sumy. In 1928, he settled on the Sumy Machine-Building Plant. Being a pioneer leader he nearly drowned in the river saving the two pioneers.

18. 10. 1916 - 14. 9. 2005

Pavel Taran was a bomber pilot of long-range aviation.

He was born on October 18, 1916 in Sholokhovo (now Nikopol district of Dnepropetrovsk region) into a peasant family. Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1942. He completed seven school years. He worked as an electrician at a metallurgical plant in Nikopol.

Joined the Red Army in 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Kachin Air Force Pilot School. He participated in liberation campaign of the Soviet troops in the Western Ukraine and Western Byelorussia in 1939, the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-40.

24. 6. 1904 - 24. 12. 1991

Ivan Fesin was commander of the 13^th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3^rd Tank Army of the Voronezh Front and Dnepropetrovsk 236^th Infantry Division of the 46^th Army of the Steppe (3^rd Ukrainian) Front, Colonel.

He was born on June 24, 1904 in Muravlev (today Kamenka district, Rostov region) into a peasant family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1929. After graduating from elementary school, he worked at the mine.

Joined the Red Army in 1926. He studied at Vladikavkaz Infantry School. After graduating it in 1930, he served in the armed forces of the NKVD. In 1941 he graduated from the Military Academy named after M. Frunze.

30. 3. 1901 - 9. 9. 1989

Alexey Fyodorov was Commander of Chernigov- Volhynia partisan unit, First Secretary of the Chernigov and Volhynia regional underground party, Maj.-Gen.

He was born on March 30, 1901 in Lotsmanskaya Kamenka (now in the city of Dnepropetrovsk) into a peasant family. Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1927. He completed four years of elementary school.

In 1920 he volunteered for the Red Army. He took part in the Civil War. From 1924 he worked to construct the railway. In 1932 he graduated from Chernigov Civil Engineering College. In 1932-1938 was in the trade union and political work, from 1938 – First Secretary of Chernigov Regional Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of the Ukraine.