Arsenij Stepanov Fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Great Patriotic War Date of Birth: 19.07.1921 Country: Russia

Biography of Arseniy Stepanov

Arseniy Stepanov was a Soviet fighter pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union, known for his service in the Great Patriotic War. He was born in a working-class family in Russia. Stepanov completed his education at School No. 20 and Kalinin Aero Club, where he graduated from the 8th grade.

In 1940, Stepanov joined the Red Army and in 1941, he graduated from the Bataysk Military Pilot School. He actively participated in the Great Patriotic War from September 1941 onwards, serving as a pilot in the separate squadron of the 44th Fighter Aviation Division of the 6th Army of the Southwest Front.

By November 1941, Stepanov had already completed 48 combat missions, carrying out reconnaissance and attacking enemy troops. During these missions, he destroyed 3 tanks, 5 vehicles, and a significant amount of other enemy vehicles and forces. On November 20, 1941, Sergeant Arseniy Stepanov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Soon after, he was appointed as the leader of the 92nd Fighter Aviation Regiment, which was formed from the separate squadron of the 44th Fighter Aviation Division on May 13, 1942. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Stepanov lost his life in an aerial battle near the village of Tarasovka in the Kegichevsky district of the Kharkov region.

To honor his memory, a street in Kalinin was named after the Hero, and memorial plaques were installed in the urban-type settlement of Kegichevka and the city of Kalinin.