Antonina Hydyakova Pilot Date of Birth: 20.06.1917 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Antonina Khudyakova
2. Heroic Service in World War II
3. Recognition and Later Life

Biography of Antonina Khudyakova

Antonina Khudyakova was born on June 20, 1917, in the village of Novaya Sloboda, Karachevsky District, Bryansk Oblast, into a peasant family. She graduated from the Bezhitsky Machine-Building Technical School, and then in 1940, she attended the Kherson Aviation School. After school, she worked as a flight instructor at the Oryol Aeroclub. She joined the Red Army in October 1941 and in 1942, she completed the Advanced Command Staff Courses.

Heroic Service in World War II

Antonina Khudyakova actively participated in the battles of the Great Patriotic War from May 1942 onwards. She served as the Deputy Commander of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment in the 325th Night Bomber Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, and the 2nd Belorussian Front. During the war, she carried out 926 combat sorties to bomb enemy forces.

Recognition and Later Life

For her exemplary execution of combat missions, courage, and heroism in the fight against the German fascist invaders, Antonina Khudyakova was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 15, 1946. She was also awarded the Lenin Order and the Gold Star Medal (No. 6150). After the war, she remained in reserve and later retired. She lived in the city of Alexandria, Kirovograd Oblast, Ukraine. Antonina Khudyakova passed away on December 17, 1998. She was honored with the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, three Orders of the Patriotic War 1st Class, and several medals.