Aleksandr Voronko Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 18.07.1917 Country: Ukraine

1. Alexander Voronko: The Fighter Pilot
2. The Battle of Kursk and the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment
3. Victories on the Eastern Front
4. Final Victory over Berlin
5. Post-War Years

Alexander Voronko: The Fighter Pilot

Alexander Voronko was born on July 18, 1917, in the village of Sokolovo, in what is now the Gotvaldovsky district of the Kharkiv region, Ukraine. He came from a working-class family. After completing his education in 1933, he joined the Kharkiv Locomotive Plant as a locksmith. In 1936, Voronko joined the Red Army and in 1939, he graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School as a pilot-instructor.

The Battle of Kursk and the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment

In June 1943, just before the start of the Battle of Kursk, Voronko was assigned to the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. During the battle, the German forces tried to stop the advancing Soviet troops with tanks, artillery, and aircraft. However, Voronko and his fellow fighters successfully protected the ground forces and shot down numerous enemy planes.

Victories on the Eastern Front

In 1944, Voronko and his regiment were transferred to the 1st Baltic Front. Equipped with the latest La-7 fighters, they achieved great success in aerial combat. Voronko personally shot down 17 enemy aircraft during his 133 combat missions. On February 23, 1945, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery and military valor displayed in battle.

Final Victory over Berlin

Continuing to fly on La-5 and La-7 fighters, Voronko conducted around 200 successful combat missions by the end of the war. On April 16, 1945, he achieved his final victory over Berlin. During one of his missions, Voronko engaged a group of German fighters and successfully shot down two FW-190 aircraft.

Post-War Years

After the war, Alexander Voronko continued to serve in the Soviet Air Force. In 1952, he successfully completed the Higher Officer Flight and Tactical Courses. He flew various types of jet aircraft until his retirement in 1960, at the rank of Colonel. Voronko spent his final years in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Alexander Voronko was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner (thrice), the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class (twice), the Order of the Red Star (twice), and numerous medals for his exceptional service and bravery.