Valentin Figichev Soviet pilot ace, Hero of the Soviet Union, fighter pilot Date of Birth: 12.02.1917 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Valentin Figichev

Valentin Alekseevich Figichev was a Soviet fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, and a fighter ace. He was born on February 12, 1917, in the village of Karkavino, now part of the Kosikhinsky District in the Altai Krai, in a family of civil servants. Figichev lived in Orenburg and later in the town of Katav-Ivanovsky (now the city of Katav-Ivanovsk in the Chelyabinsk Oblast), where he completed his secondary school education. He joined the Red Army in 1936 and graduated from the Voroshilovgrad Military Aviation School in 1938.

During the Great Patriotic War, Figichev served as the commander of a squadron in the 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. He flew 339 combat missions, including 105 ground attack missions and 70 reconnaissance missions. In 26 aerial battles, he personally shot down 7 enemy aircraft and destroyed 5 on the ground. On November 23, 1942, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery and military prowess. In total, Figichev completed 612 successful combat missions and personally shot down 21 enemy aircraft.

After the war, Figichev continued to serve in the Soviet Air Force. In 1946, he graduated from the courses for regiment commanders at the Air Force Academy. He served in the air defense forces until his demobilization in the rank of Colonel in 1957. After leaving the military, Figichev worked as the chief administrator of the Kiev Regional Drama Theater and later lived in Vinnitsa.

Figichev was honored with the Orders 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 Star, and various medals and foreign orders. He was an honorary citizen of the city of Katav-Ivanovsk, and a street in the city is named after him. A memorial plaque is also installed on the house where he lived.

Valentin Figichev passed away in 1993. He will always be remembered as an esteemed pilot who dedicated a significant part of his life to the skies and fought bravely for the freedom of his homeland.