Evgeniy Gorbatyk Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 23.10.1914 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Evgeny Gorbatiuk

Evgeny Mikhailovich Gorbatiuk was born on October 23, 1914, in the village of Kopytintsy, now in the Letichivsky district of the Khmelnytsky region in Ukraine. He was raised in a peasant family and completed his education at an incomplete secondary school and an agricultural technical school. He was involved in Komsomol activities before joining the Red Army in 1936.

In 1938, Gorbatiuk graduated from the Kachinsk Military Aviation School for Pilots and became a pilot in the Soviet Air Force. With the start of the Great Patriotic War, he fought as part of the 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment in the 15th Aviation Division. By February 1942, he became the commander of the 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment and had already completed 203 combat sorties, shot down 4 enemy aircraft, and destroyed a significant amount of enemy military equipment and personnel.

On March 4, 1942, Gorbatiuk was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military valor demonstrated in battles against the enemy. Throughout the war, he carried out a total of 347 successful combat sorties and shot down 19 enemy aircraft, both individually and in a group with his comrades.

After the war, Gorbatiuk continued to serve in the Soviet Air Force in responsible positions. In 1955, he graduated from the General Staff Academy and became the deputy commander of the Air Force. He reached the rank of Colonel General in 1967. Gorbatiuk was decorated with multiple orders, including the Order of Lenin (twice), the Order of the Red Banner (thrice), the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and the Order of the Red Star, as well as various medals.

Evgeny Gorbatiuk passed away on March 2, 1978, and was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Throughout his military career, Gorbatiuk distinguished himself as a skilled and brave pilot, demonstrating exceptional combat abilities and leadership. His contributions to the Soviet Air Force during World War II were invaluable, and he will be remembered as a true hero of the Soviet Union.