Vasily Andrianov (pilot)

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For a Soviet communist functionary, see Vasily Andrianov (politician).
Vasily Ivanovich Andrianov
Soviet Air Force
Years of service1940-1981
RankMajor general
Commands held118th Guards Attack Aviation Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsHero of the Soviet Union (twice)

Vasily Ivanovich Andrianov (Russian: Василий Иванович Андрианов; 13 August 1920 – 7 May 1999) was a Soviet Air Force major general and twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Andrianov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union twice for making 177 successful attack missions during World War II. Postwar, Andrianov continued his career in the Air Force and taught at the Military Academy of the General Staff. After retiring in 1981 as a Major general, Andrianov died in 1999 and was buried at the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery.[1]

Early life

Andrianov was born on 13 August 1920 in the village of Ivanisovo in Tver Governorate to a peasant family.[2] He spent his childhood and teenage years in the village of Sonkovo. In 1936, he graduated from eight grades. Andrianov graduated from the Smolensk Co-operative College in 1938. Between 1939 and 1940, he worked as a military instructor at the Sonkovo High School. In July 1940, Andrianov was drafted into the Red Army. He graduated from the Leningrad Military District Junior Aviation Specialists School in September. He became a gunner and radio operator in a heavy bomber regiment located in the district.[1]

World War II

In September 1941, Andrianov graduated from the 2nd Moscow Military Aviation School for initial pilot training. He was then sent to the Molotov (Perm) Military Aviation School for more pilot training. After graduation in April 1943, Andrianov became a pilot in the 10th Reserve Aviation Regiment in

Voronezh Front. [1]

Andrianov first flew attack sorties during the

Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive. He was promoted to senior lieutenant on 25 September.[1]

From 12 January 1945, the regiment fought in the

Prague Offensive. On 25 April, Andrianov was awarded his third Order of the Red Banner.[10] During the war, Andrianov made 180 sorties on the Il-2. His crew was reported to have shot down two enemy aircraft and shared three other victories. On 27 June 1945, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union a second time for the completion of 177 sorties by April 1945.[1]

Postwar

Until June 1946, Andrianov continued to serve as a squadron commander in the regiment. On 6 May 1949, he was promoted to major. In 1950, he graduated from the

Medal for Battle Merit. On 9 January 1952, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Andrianov became an Adjunct professor at the Department of Attack Aviation Tactics in the Air Force Academy in 1953. He became a pilot-inspector of attack aircraft for the Ministry of Defence Inspectorate. In 1956, Andrianov became the deputy commander of the 172nd Bomber Aviation Division in Poland, which became a fighter-bomber unit the next year. He was awarded the Order of the Red Star on 30 December 1956. On 30 April 1957, he was promoted to colonel. He became chief of staff of the division in 1958 and entered the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1959.[1]

After graduating in 1961, Andrianov became chief of staff of the

Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR 3rd class. He lived in Moscow. On 11 March 1985, he was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class on the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II. Andrianov died on 7 May 1999 and was buried in the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery.[1][2]

Awards and honors

Hero of the Soviet Union, twice (№ 1976 - 1 July 1944) (№ 6036 - 27 June 1945)
Order of Lenin (1 July 1944)
Order of the Red Banner, three times (11 October 1943, 17 July 1944, 25 April 1945)
Order of Alexander Nevsky (22 February 1945)
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, twice (31 August 1943, 11 March 1985)
Order of Glory, 3rd class (28 December 1943)
Medal "For Battle Merit" (15 November 1950)
Order of the Red Star (30 December 1956)
Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", 3rd degree (30 April 1975)
Medal of Zhukov (1994)
Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" (1945)
Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" (1945)
Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (1945)
Cross of Valour (Poland)
  • Soviet and Russian jubilee medals

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Vasily Andrianov". Герои страны ("Heroes of the Country") (in Russian).
  2. ^ a b "Андрианов Василий Иванович" [Andrianov Vasily Ivanovich]. airaces.narod.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  3. ^ "АНДРИАНОВ Василий Иванович" [Andrianov Vasily Ivanovich]. myfront.in.ua (in Russian). Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  4. ^ Order No. 22, 1st Assault Aviation Corps, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
  5. ^ Order No. 44, 5th Air Army, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
  6. ^ Order No. 31, 292nd Assault Aviation Division, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
  7. ^ "Андрианов Василий Иванович" [Andrianov Vasily Ivanovich]. adm-bezhetsk.rf (in Russian). Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  8. ^ Order No. 26, 5th Air Army, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
  9. ^ Order No. 8, 2nd Air Army, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
  10. ^ Order No. 98, 2nd Air Army, available online at pamyatnaroda.mil.ru
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