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Petr VovnaBomber pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Soviet-Finnish War
Country:
 Ukraine |
Content:
Early Life and Military Service
Oleksiy Vovnenko was born into a peasant family in Ukraine and received a primary education. After working as an agricultural laborer, he enlisted in the Red Army in 1927. He completed pilot training and served in the bomber aviation. In 1931, he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
Battles and Decorations
Vovnenko participated in the fighting at Lake Khasan and the national liberation war in China. As part of Captain Slyusarev's squadron, he earned the Order of the Red Banner.
In the Soviet-Finnish War, he served as commander of the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Rapid Bombardment Aviation Regiment. He flew 54 combat sorties and was awarded another Order of the Red Banner.
Tragedy at Viipuri
On March 2, 1940, while carrying out a bombing mission over Viipuri, Vovnenko's plane was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery.
His citation read: "He fearlessly led his squadron into battle. On March 2, 1940, he was tasked with destroying the Yask station. After striking the target, he perished under enemy anti-aircraft fire."
Posthumous Honors
On April 7, 1940, Oleksiy Vovnenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
