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Andrey DanilovFighter pilot
Country:
 Russia |
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Biography of Andrey Danilov
Andrey Danilov was born in 1910 in the village of Vyazhlya in the Atkarsk district of the Saratov region. He graduated from the 3rd Orenburg Military Aviation School of Pilots and Observers named after K.E. Voroshilov.
World War II
With the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, Andrey Danilov served on the front lines. On the morning of June 22, 1941, as the deputy commander of the political unit of the 127th Fighter Aviation Regiment, he led a group of five I-153 fighters to provide cover for the cities of Grodno and Lida. During the battle, Danilov shot down a Junkers bomber. In a later sortie near Grodno, he also shot down an FW-189 reconnaissance aircraft. Despite being injured and his plane damaged, Danilov continued to engage enemy bombers. He shot down a Dornier bomber and a Messerschmitt Me-110 fighter. However, he was wounded twice and his aircraft was severely damaged. With great difficulty, he managed to regain control of his plane and safely land it in a potato field near the village of Cherlyany.
Recognition and Continued Service
Initially believed to have perished in the crash, Andrey Danilov was posthumously awarded the Order of Lenin on July 8, 1941. However, he survived and after a lengthy recovery and rigorous training, he returned to his regiment. He fought on the Volkhov Front and on July 9, 1941, his plane was shot down and he was wounded again. After recovering from his injuries, he continued to serve as the deputy commander of the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. In July 1943, he was appointed as the commander of the 168th Fighter Aviation Regiment. He participated in the Battle of Kursk, the liberation of Minsk, and the assault on Berlin. He also fought in the war against Japan as part of the Transbaikal Front.
Post-War Life
After the war, Andrey Danilov retired from active service and settled in Atkarsk. He worked in the agricultural management department. He was honored as a citizen of Grodno and was awarded the Order of Lenin, Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, Order of the Red Star, and various medals for his heroic actions during the war. He passed away on July 1, 1964, and was buried in Grodno.
