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Mihail SharonovFighter pilot
Date of Birth: 02.10.1914
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Michael Sharunov was born on October 2, 1914, in the village of Gorodishche, Niigorod Oblast, to a peasant family. He graduated from an industrial technical college in Pavlovo and worked in the "Krasnaya Zarya" cooperative.
Military Career
In 1936, Sharunov enlisted in the Red Army. He enrolled in the Chuguyev Military Aviation School of Pilots in May 1937, graduating in January 1940. He was then assigned to the 160th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
World War II
At the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, Sharunov was deployed to the front. He scored his first victory, shooting down a Me-109 fighter, while based near Odessa. In October 1941, he was transferred to the 796th Aviation Regiment on the Volkhov Front and promoted to Lieutenant.
Heroic Sacrifice
In April 1942, Sharunov was recalled from the front and enrolled in the Air Force Academy. After graduating in August 1943, he was assigned to the 191st Fighter Aviation Regiment (7th Fighter Aviation Corp, Troops of the Country's Air Defense) near Leningrad. He took command of a squadron.
On January 17, 1944, Senior Lieutenant Sharunov covered ground attack aircraft bombing enemy forces near Lisino-Ankovo. Spotting a German motorcade, he attacked it, setting several vehicles ablaze. However, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a subsequent attack. With his plane on fire, Sharunov crashed into the enemy convoy, triggering a massive explosion that destroyed the ammunition-laden vehicles.
Legacy
On February 13, 1943, Sharunov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his valor and military prowess. The courageous airman was also honored with the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner. Monuments to the hero were erected in Tosno, Leningrad Oblast, and in the town of Vacha.
