14.1.1915 - 18.8.1990

Vasily Efremov was squadron commander of the 10^th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 270^th Bomber Division of the 8^th Air Army of the Southern Front, Guards Captain.

He was born on January 14, 1915 in Tsaritsyn (from 1925 to 1961 – Stalingrad, since 1961 and today - Volgograd) in a working class family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) / CPSU since 1943, he graduated from school (7 years) in 1929; in 1932 – from Factory Trade Apprenticeship in Stalingrad.

Joined the Red Army in 1934. In 1937, he graduated from the Stalingrad Military Aviation School. He participated in the Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940 as a bomber and commander of the aviation unit.

During the Great Patriotic War, from June 1941 to September 1944, V. Efremov commanded aviation unit, deputy commander and commander of a squadron of the 10^th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment. He participated in battles at the South-Western, Stalingrad, the 4^th Ukrainian and the 3^rd Belorussian Fronts.

In the battle for Stalingrad V. Efremov made 198 sorties, destroyed five trains, 15 cars loaded with military cargoes, 11 planes and a lot of other military equipment. During the Battle of Stalingrad, he had to fly up and fight several times a day.

By February 1943 the squadron commander of the 10^th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (the 270^th Bomber Air Division, the 8^th Air Force, the Southern Front), Guards Captain V. Efremov made 293 sorties to bomb the enemy troops and combat equipment.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on May 1, 1943 for exemplary performance of combat missions, and for his heroism and courage, V. Efremov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (№ 733).

The crew, commanded by V. Efremov destroyed 32 enemy planes on the ground and 4 in a air combat.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on August 24, 1943 for 340 successful sorties, Guards Captain Vasily Efremov was awarded the second Gold Star medal.

In 1949, after graduating from the Air Force Academy, Lieut. Colonel V. Efremov served as a deputy commander of the regiment, then - an instructor at the Aviation School, a test pilot. Could fly on many planes in various weather conditions. In 1960, Colonel V. Efremov - in reserve, and then - in retirement.

Glorified air fighter was entrusted with a great honor - to carry the torch with the Eternal Flame at the opening ceremony of the monument to the heroes of Stalingrad Battle on Mamay Kurgan. By the Decision of Volgograd City Council of People’s Deputies on May 7, 1980 for his outstanding achievements displayed in defense of the city and the defeat of German forces in the Battle of Stalingrad, Vasily Efremov was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the Hero City of Volgograd.

The honored veteran lived in the capital of the Ukraine – hero-city of Kiev, where he died on August 18, 1990. According to the will, was buried in Volgograd on Mamay Kurgan.

He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1^st degree, two Orders of the Red Star and medals.

A bronze bust of twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Vasily Efremov was set in the city-hero of Volgograd in the park on the avenue named after Vladimir Lenin.